gliding low over a field at dusk, noiselessly, ghost-like,
hunting with its ears, is a sight like no other. The sheer
strangeness of its beautiful heart-shaped face, pure white
body and silent flight has attracted wonderment and often
fear. Which would account for some other names it's gone
by - demon owl, ghost owl and death owl...

In ancient British folklore, the sound of a barn owl
screeching was an omen for imminent death. Which is
just superstition, unless you're a vole, in which case it's
probably true.

20