They would drink a toast to the Eagle Owl before a hunting expedition. The Screech Owl warns against danger. Though they think the Barn Owl and Horned Owl are demonic. Owls spy treasures, steal them and hoard them. Owls join witches to dance on the graves of the dead.
Owls eat new-born babies.
Owls were the messengers of the rulers of Xibalba, the Place of Phantoms. Polish folklore links Owls with death. An old story tells how the Owl does not come out at during the day because it is too beautiful, and would be mobbed by other, jealous birds. Tartar shamen of Central Russia could assume Owl shapes. Kalmucks hold the Owl to be sacred because one once saved the life of Genghis Khan.