As Halloween approaches, I've seen more and more decorations that feature owls. They seem to be as much a part of the holiday as scarecrows and pumpkins. What is it about these birds that makes them so appropriate for that enchanting night ahead? Why are they so mysterious?

Owls have evoked strong emotions in humans since the beginning of recorded history. Long thought to have magical powers, the owl frequently has played a part of man's superstitions. In some cultures the owl was considered a bad omen, but in most locations the owl was thought to be a source of supernatural powers.

For example, in certain Indian cultures, people believed that eating owl eyes gave one better night vision. African cultures attributed owls to spell casting and spiritual insight. The Celts held the belief that owls could detect deceitful people. Many Eastern religions considered the owl to be evil and a harbinger of death.

For me, the owl has no supernatural meaning. Although, when I was a kid I had a close encounter with a barred owl that I have not forgotten. I was taking a short cut home through a swampy woodlot one evening when I heard an eerie rasping cry coming from an overhanging branch. Looking up, I was startled to see a huge barred owl peering down at me. The owl looked right through me, dropped from the branch with wings spread, and swooped up over my head into the dark.

Ever since I have been both spooked and fascinated by the barred owl. Even now, the barred owl continues to haunt me in the dark of night. I can't tell you how many times I have been awakened from deep sleep to terrifying screams of distress. Every time it happens I am absolutely convinced there is someone being murdered just outside my window. In fact, it often takes several minutes after awakening to realize it is the mysterious barred owl and nothing sinister.

Most of us are familiar with the owl's "who cooks for you, who cooks for you aaalll" hooting call, but fewer of us have experienced the many assorted blood chilling screams of late night. The barred owl is not the only owl known to pierce the dark with frightening calls. Many species of owls slice the night air with a variety of screams, cries and strident noises.

Yet as frightening as these unusual calls can be, I believe there are more things that makes owls mysterious. Perhaps it is because of their large penetrating eyes, rotating neck and silent ethereal moth-like flight? Maybe it has more to do with the fact that few of us ever venture into their nocturnal world and so there is still much we do not know about them?

I only know that after the lights go out and the day is done, the call of the owl emanates from the dark and speaks volumes of another world. They are the voice of the woods, sometimes eerie, at other times inspiring; but when you hear them they will take your spirit to another level, to places where we don't go, and it is this mystery that makes owls so appropriate for Halloween.

Robert Tougias is a birding author who lives in Colchester. He offers color slide presentations and takes questions at rtougias@snet.net.