Learn the legends and lore of the barn owl at Stillman's Raptor Sunday event

Certainly, more than one species of owl has inspired local folk tales, myths and Halloween-worthy legends. If I had to put one species at the top of the "ghost owl" list, it would be the barn owl.

Why? First, the barn owl is the most widely distributed owl on the planet. It can be found on every continent except Antarctica. So, more people around the world are likely to have seen or heard it.

What people see or hear brings me to my second reason for ranking the barn owl number one in ghost stories. Picture this. It's the Middle Ages, and you are an illiterate peasant stumbling your way home from the ale house late at night.

You lean up against a tree to catch your breath. As you gaze up at the moon, you become aware that some sort of demon is glaring down at you.

It is perched upright, has eyes in front of its head, and is snowy white. You look up again and the ghost is gone. It never made a noise.

You look around. What was that? Where did it go? Then you hear it. The spookiest bloodcurdling shriek you have ever heard. Time to get home, now!

What that peasant heard was a barn owl that absolutely, positively, does not hoot. The best description of a barn owl call I have ever read comes from Matt Sewell. He writes that the barn owl's call "could strip the fingernails from all those unfortunate to meet it."

In regard to the fear of owls, Sewell continues, "Superstitious folks would often nail a wing - or even a whole barn owl - to a barn door to keep out all witchery and evil doings."

Nowadays, barn owls are more likely to be flying from a barn than nailed to one. In nearby Missouri, the World Bird Sanctuary has bred and released hundreds of barn owls (yes, from barns) in an effort to build up their populations.

In Illinois, the Department of Natural Resources recently removed the barn owl from the state's endangered species list. There are at least 50 nests of barn owls in the state. Besides nesting in human structures, barn owls will nest in holes in trees, cliff ledges and other natural cavities.

Barn owls are in their own scientific family since they are a bit different from typical owls. They are long-legged, crow-sized birds that have a distinctive heart-shaped face. Their pale underparts remind me of a poppy seed bun.

The difference between owl families is reflected in some owl folklore. California's Newuk Indians believed their dead would become owls. To be more specific, the brave and righteous would return as great horned owls, while the wicked were cursed to reappear as barn owls.

The residents of Tangiers were also rough on barn owls, believing them to be oracles of the devil.

Why have the barn owls been singled out? I believe the answer lies in their eerie call. David Mallet was likely inspired by a barn owl when he wrote, "The wailing owl screams solitary to the mournful moon."

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Raptor Sunday

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

Where: Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington

Details: Meet barn, barred, great horned and screech owls. Stillman staff will also present a peregrine falcon, broad-winged hawk and red-shouldered hawk. Staff will bring the birds out so you can see them up close. Kids will have a chance to dissect owl pellets. Bring a camera.

Fee: $10 per car

Info: www.stillmannc.org; (847) 428-OWLS (6957)

• Mark Spreyer is executive director of the Stillman Nature Center in South Barrington. Email him at stillnc@wildblue.net.