Burrowing Owls

Burrowing Owls


Names
Common Name:	Burrowing Owls
Scientific Name:	Athene cunicularia
Appearance
Brown and tan with broad faces and very long, featherless legs.
Behavior
Inhabit the Desert of Kuneer and The Barrens, and live in small burrows. Their unusually long bare legs let them run quickly. They can fly, although not very well.

Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia or Speotyto cunciculria) are small, long-legged owls that, unlike most owls, are gregarious, and active during the day. They are found throughout North and South America.

Information[]

Description[]

The Burrowing Owl is an odd-looking owl with long, thin, bare legs that make it look like it is standing on stilts. It has white eyebrows over its large eyes. Its feathers are brown with white spots, and the underparts are light-colored with brown spots. The brown feathers make it harder to spot the burrowing owl in the dry grass. Unlike most owls, males and females are similar in size and appearance. Females tend to be heavier, while males have longer measurements and tend to be lighter in color due to spending more time outside and getting their feathers "sun-bleached". The Burrowing Owl measures 7.5–11.0 in (19–28 cm) long and spans 20–24 in (50.8–61 cm) across the wings, and weighs 4.9–8.5 oz (140–240 g). They are very vocal, with a wide arrange of calls, but the main song is a hollow "cu-cuhooh".

Ecology[]

Burrowing Owls live on prairies, grasslands, deserts, and other open dry areas with low vegetation. In Canada, they nest in southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. There have been sightings in southern Manitoba. The owls are being reintroduced in southern British Columbia. Burrowing Owls use burrows that were dug by badgers, ground squirrels, or foxes. If an enemy comes near the father sounds an alarm and tries to lead the animal away from the burrow. If an enemy enters the burrow, the young make a hissing noise that sounds like a rattlesnake. This scares some animals away.

Burrowing Owls migrate south for the winter, but unlike other owls, they are not that good at flying and prefer to walk.

This little bird has many enemies. Snakes, other owls, hawks, badgers, skunks, foxes, weasels, cats and dogs eat the young birds or the eggs. Humans are also their enemies because people destroy the nesting areas.

In series, they are found in the Desert of Kuneer and The Barrens.

Diet[]

Although primarily active at dusk and dawn, Burrowing Owls will hunt at any time. They eat many insects, with their favorites being grasshoppers and beetles. They also eat small birds, mice, voles and ground squirrels. Their long legs enable them to sprint, as well as fly, when hunting. Unlike other owls, they will also eat fruits and seeds from cacti.

Reproduction[]

Nesting season begins in late March or April. The burrow is lined with dried plants, feathers and wattle (dried manure). Six to twelve eggs are laid. Not all the eggs hatch at once. The egg that is laid first hatches first. The nest can get overcrowded. The older ones stand outside near the doorway and wait for the parents to bring something to eat. The parents might use more than one burrow as a home for the young owls. It is also safer to have more than one burrow. The burrows can get flooded during a heavy rainfall. Young leave the nest after about 44 days.

They live for at least 9 years in the wild.

Significant Burrowing Owls[]

History[]

The Capture[]

Digger is seen frantically running around Kuneer looking for his family. When the others ask him what's wrong, he tells them how he escaped from the St. Aggie's owls, but his brother Cunny was owlnapped, while his other brother Flick was eaten by Jatt and Jutt. After the skirmish, Zan and Streak explain how they comforted Digger's parents, but the next day a party of 50 St. Aggie's owls returned and killed Digger's parents.

The Journey[]

Flying through Tyto, Digger is mobbed by crows and injured. The Band stops to rest, while Mrs. P tends to his injuries. Digger finds it odd living in a tree.

Dewlap is the Ga'Hoolology ryb, but almost everyone finds her boring.

Digger is made part of the Tracking Chaw, and with Twilight's help, finds Soren's sister Eglantine.

The Rescue[]

During the Harvest Festival, the band fly to Silverveil to find the Rogue Smith. Digger bumps into her first.

Dewlap discovered the Band left the Tree, so she very angrily gave them a flint mop. Digger declares that he has nothing in common with Dewlap, despite being the same species.

With information provided by Eglantine, Digger determines where Ezylryb might be being held.

The Siege[]

At a parliament meeting, Dewlap declares that higher magnetics are dark magic and that the book Fleckasia and Other Disorders of the Gizzard should be removed from the library.

Dewlap is in the library arguing with Otulissa about the book, telling her the book is spronk, and promptly faints when Otulissa shouts, "Well, SPRINK ON YOUR SPRONK!"

Dewlap gives Otulissa a special flint mop after finding her with the book. It's also noted that Dewlap is a very weak and noisy flier. Dewlap makes her collect pellets and bring her food. As the rest of the Chaw of Chaws leaves, Otulissa throws a ground squirrel into Dewlap's face and joins them.

As the Great Tree prepares for the siege, Dewlap argues with Huckmore about the health of the tree.

Digger is part of a unit of Burrowing Owls from the tracking chaw, led by the head of the chaw, Sylvana. They were digging cache holes, while Dewlap was in a different unit enlarging storage hollows.

The Band visit Otulissa in the infirmary, and Dewlap is surprised to see them there. She laments how it came to war.

Digger is making cache holes for embers and mentions other Burrowing Owls in various digging units, with Hubert caching food supplies, and Muriel excavating storage areas, but Dewlap is only arranging shifts and making lists.

The Band gets the idea to burrow under the tree to make a pincer movement. Ezylryb doesn't want Dewlap to know, so only the Band, Octavia, Sylvana, and Muriel work on the tunnel. While they dig, they're told a story of a Burrowing Owl named Terra who tunneled through a mountain in one night. Sylvana also sings while they work.

Worried that Dewlap has been manipulated by Kludd and is now his spy, Ezylryb has Sylvana direct Dewlap to a different tunnel to start digging in the opposite direction.

After learning that Strix Struma has been killed, Dewlap breaks down sobbing.

The Shattering[]

In the library, Primrose says that Dewlap had a nervous breakdown, while Otulissa tells her and Digger that Dewlap was hoarding a private supply of milkberries and Ga'Hoole nuts. She also explains what shattering is, saying that it definitely didn't happen to Dewlap, and is agitated that Dewlap destroyed the only copy of Fleckasia and Other Disorders of the Gizzard.

Otulissa obtains a dowsing rod that finds flecks from Trader Mags. On the southern side of the island, they check for any flecks. Digger, being better at walking, holds the divining rod for a while.

Digger notices Eglantine's odd behavior, such as hollow-sounding responses and flinching at certain words.

Digger borrows the dowsing rod and checks Eglantine's hollow. He discovers that her nest is loaded with flecks.

Digger and Gylfie go looking for Eglantine and Primrose. Digger check a tree stump with a hole at the base and quickly figures out they were there, and that they had an egg with them.

At a parliament meeting, Boron and Ezylryb charge the Chaw of Chaws with taking an utterly broken Dewlap to the Glauxian Sister's Retreat.

The Burning[]

Digger and the rest of the Band are officially sworn in as Guardians.

While heading for Elsemere Island, the Chaw of Chaws runs into Dumpy, who almost collided with Digger. Tuppa wants to adopt Dewlap.

Soon, Otulissa and Gylfie dropped off Dewlap at the Glauxian Sister's Retreat.

Digger, Twilight, Eglantine, and Soren are flying over the Firth of Fangs when they meet a huge polar bear named Svallborg who takes them to where Moss lives.

On Dark Fowl Island, Digger is taught how to harvest ice, and also how to bury the ice weapons to preserve their sharpness and prevent them from melting.

Digger is the one to tell Soren that the parliament wants them to train the St. Aggie's owls how to fight with fire. Soren refuses and becomes a gizzard resister. When Otulissa scoffs at the notion, calling it treasonous, Digger flies into a rage and is about to pounce on her. Twilight stops him, but also chews out Otulissa.

At a parliament meeting, Sylvana asks if they're going through with the plan despite not having the forces from the Northern Kingdoms and only a few ice weapons.

During the Battle of Fire and Ice, Digger was captured by the Pure Ones.

The Hatchling[]

Gwyndor was attacked by crows and collapsed in The Barrens where he was taken in by a Burrowing Owl family: Harry, Myrtle, and their daughter Kalo who collected Gwyndor's coals. While waiting for Gwyndor to wake up, Harry and Myrtle bicker about going to live in a tree. When Gwyndor finally awakes, they worry about his condition, but he tells them he must get to his destination as soon as possible.

Phillip tells Nyroc about the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. When he tells Nyroc how nothing is forbidden, he mentions an elderly Burrowing Owl (Dewlap) who tried to make a book spronk and was disciplined for it.

Nyroc stops to rest in The Barrens and is noticed by Kalo. He tells them he's going to Silverveil, but before he can explain himself, they panic and hide in their burrow, thinking that he's Nyra. Myrtle screeches at Harry that they're not going to Silverveil.

The Outcast[]

Coryn flies over The barrens once again and hears the same Burrowing Owl family lamenting that their egg was stolen.

Coryn returns their egg, and while shocked at first, they invite him into their burrow to witness the egg hatching. They name the hatchling Coryn as thanks. Later, Coryn and Kalo talk through the night about his heading for Beyond the Beyond, doing the right thing, and his friend Phillip.

The next day, Harry talks about rumors of Nyra being killed and her scroom or hagsfiend was spotted on the border of Silverveil and the Shadow Forest.

Digger, the rest of the Chaw of Chaws (except Otulissa), and Cleve, were all present to witness a dying Boron and Barran. When they mention a true king, Digger is the one to ask what they mean. The monarchs churred, saying they knew Digger would be the one to ask.

The First Collier[]

Digger, Twilight, and Gylfie are waiting outside Ezylryb's hollow as the old owl is about to pass away. Digger says it's like being orphaned again.

As he looks upon the ember, Grank sees a vision of one of King H'rath's most skilled ice harvesters, a Burrowing Owl named H'rooth, being beheaded by a hagsfiend.

On the border of the Shadow Forest and Silverveil, Grank stops at a grog tree. A Burrowing Owl tells him the king is dead. He explains that he came to fight both for the king, and to avenge the death of his brother (H'rooth). He was there to witness Lord Arrin corner H'rath, and for Penryck to deal the killing blow.

The Coming of Hoole[]

Digger, Twilight, and Gylfie are still waiting outside for Soren and Coryn, and are joined by Octavia and Otulissa.

To Be a King[]

Finishing the third legend, Digger tells Coryn it's his destiny to have the ember.

The Golden Tree[]

Digger was at a parliament meeting, listening to certain members voice their concerns about the safety of the ember. Digger tells everyone to let Fleemus speak.

Digger, the rest of the Band, and Coryn went off on an outing. Stopping in Silverveil, they hunted rabbits and told stories of when the Band was younger. As they took turns telling the story of how they went to the Shadow Forest and met Bess, Digger gets excited as he describes the Palace of Mists.

Later, they discuss whether or not Nyra is a hagsfiend and locating the Book of Kreeth. After getting information from Trader Mags, they head for the cave where Kludd was killed. Preparing for battle against the Pure Ones and the MacHeath Clan, Digger carried a birch limb lit on both sides with fire. During the fight, Nyra and a few dire wolves get past him, so he pursues them deeper into the cave.

The River of Wind[]

As Otulissa explains to the rest of the Chaw of Chaws about the message from Bess about a sixth owl kingdom, Digger suggests that before they tell anyone else they go to the Palace of Mists to talk with Bess. He then says they should tell someone where they've gone in case they don't return within one moon cycle.

When Soren asks the Chaw of Chaws if they should bring Mrs. P. along, he specifically asks for Digger's opinion. Digger believes she would be a valuable addition.

At the Palace of Mists, as they look over the information, Digger is amazed that they'll be able to fly to the Sixth Kingdom. He also points out that if all this information got to the Southern Kingdoms, the owls from the Sixth Kingdom clearly know a way to and from their kingdom.

As the Chaw of Chaws navigate the windkins, Digger manages to grab Mrs. P. before she's blown away.

Upon reaching the Middle Kingdoms, Digger is the first to point out that the new owl they see is blue. As they talk with Tengshu, Digger is fascinated by his philosophy.

In the Desert of Kuneer, Nyra spies upon a strange blue owl and Bell, the daughter of Soren, with three of her troops; Stryker, Wort and a Burrowing Owl hireclaw named Sergeant Tarn, who Nyra is thinking of promoting to above her right-wing owl, Stryker, in light of his recent failures. Having captured the Striga, Sergeant Tarn leads Stryker and Wort back to their hideout. He joins Nyra in interrogating the blue owl.

At the Panqua Palace, the Chaw of Chaws sees the dragon owls. After asking Tengshu about phonqua, Digger begins to suppose that the dragon owls used to be hagsfiends. Upon hearing of a defector, Digger wonders if this will upset the phonqua of both of their kingdoms, and also mentions the butterfly effect. He later shares his thoughts with the rest of the Chaw of Chaws.

Tarn shows the other Pure Ones a map of the Beyond, determining where they're supposed to go from the information they obtained. Nyra declares a slink melf of 18 owls, and then promotes Tarn to Captain.

The Chaw of Chaws is introduced to H'ryth Gup Theosang, a pale blue Burrowing Owl with vivid green eyes.

Tarn spots the crow feather of Doc Finebeak in the wind.

As the H'ryth discusses the Theo Papers with the Chaw of Chaws, they receive a warning from Tengshu that they're being attacked.

After the fight, the H'ryth scolds Orlando for his brutality, but Soren and the others stand up for him and ask if he can join them at the tree. While the H'ryth permits him to leave, he also warns that his phonqua is not satisfied.

A Guide Book to the Great Tree[]

A few centuries ago, Isolde was the Ga'Hoolology ryb. When she discovered black mushrooms growing on the Great Tree's roots, she had her chaw split up and fly to various corners of the Southern Kingdoms to find answers. She and a Great Gray named Marduk went to Ambala to speak with the eagles.

Exile[]

Out of respect for the Striga, the Harvest Festival was greatly subdued, with Digger asking why there was no milkberry brew, and also wondering if Coryn had the gollymopes.

When the Band reaches the Shadow Forest, they smell fire and burnt paper. Once they find a tree to rest in, Digger and Twilight go hunting for ground squirrels.

Soren and Digger call over Gylfie and Twilight to witness a strange ceremony. They witness another Burrowing Owl dropping a book into a fire.

Doc Finebeak follows the Striga into The Barrens and witnesses the Blue Brigade harassing a Burrowing Owl family. Kalo stands up to the BLue Brigade to keep her book Siv, a Queen's Tale, while her brother Cory stands by her, as do her mate Grom and daughter Siv. The Striga burns her book, and Kalo demands to know who ordered this. The Striga spits back that it was ordered by Coryn.

Looking for answers, the Band head into Ambala to talk with Mist/Hortense, the eagles, and the flying snakes. Hortense says she'll take them to a secret area of Ambala called the Place of Living Books tomorrow. As the Band sleeps, a Burrowing Owl had been watching their entire conversation while hiding in the clouds. It was Tarn, and while he hated wearing a blue feather, he knew that being a spy for the Striga would get him rewarded.

Tarn reports back to the Striga that the Band were conversing with a scroom. Tarn attempts to flatter the Striga, but he cuts Tarn off, and after a moment, flatters him right back. The Striga only knew that Tarn came from somewhere in Kuneer, and that he was smart, apparently not realizing Tarn was one of the owls torturing him for information a while back.

The owls of the parliament gathered in the hidden chamber in the roots of the great tree. Otulissa mentions how Sylvana was a big help during the siege, and tells her to move the ice weapons. Pelli also tells her to get owls to practice with the ice weapons. Sylvana replies that she knows of another tunnel that should be big enough where they can train.

Cory tells Kalo their burrow has been marked by a singed blue feather. To protect her family, Kalo leaves. As Grom sobs, Cory declares that he's going straight to the king for answers.

As Cory flies over Silverveil, he notices several smoldering pyres. Seeing that a gathering was burning owls, he goes yeep, but is rescued by Gwyndor. They get a closer look to see that they're just effigies of the Band.

A Barred Owl stands in Cory's way to see Coryn, but when the Striga shows up, Cory makes up a story that he's there to report a hoarding incident, and so he's let inside. As soon as Cory speaks, and especially when he says the name "Coryn", the king seems to snap out of his stupor, but the Striga has Cory removed.

As Coryn fights a Great Gray and a Great Horned, Kalo arrives to fight alongside him, as does the Rabbit. Kalo impales the Great Gray to a tree with a burning branch. Coryn saves Kalo by hitting the Great Horned in the face with a botkin. Listening to the advice of the dying rabbit, Kalo and Coryn cover themselves in moss and fly to join the Greenowls, Kalo shyly telling her old friend how both he and the Rabbit had saved her.

Garbed in mousefoot moss found by Kalo, Coryn and Kalo join up with the Greenowls over Cape Glaux, where Kalo voices her fear when another owl approached them, who turns out to by Soren. Quickly noticing them, Soren asks who they are, and Coryn replies that he and Kalo wish to fight alongside the rest of the Greenowls. Prior to this, Coryn had explained to Kalo how he had been brainwashed by the Striga and claimed he did not deserve the status of king. Kalo, however, gently comforts him, expressing her belief that none deserve to be king, but that they earn it, which Coryn had begun when he saved her. Kalo expresses her faith in Coryn, telling him she knows he will redeem himself. Kalo subsequently fought alongside Coryn against the Blue Brigade in the Battle of Balefire Night.

After the battle, Kalo and the rest of her family (Grom, Siv, Bruno, and Cory) moved into the great tree.

As Otulissa recovers from her injury, Kalo keeps her company, sometimes reading her Siv, a Queen's Tale. When Otulissa mentions Cleve, Kalo goes to Coryn and suggests they bring Cleve to the tree. A few nights later, Coryn, Kalo, and Grom, all head for the Northern Kingdoms.

The War of the Ember[]

Digger was present at an important meeting, along with the rest of the Band, Bubo, Cleve, Tengshu, and Coryn, to listen to the information brought by Bess, Dumpy, and Gwyndor. When they discuss moving the ember from the Palace of Mists, Digger suggests using three owls that aren't high-profile. He agrees with Soren that none of the owls should know if they have them ember, and adds that they should all be double chawed.

Tengshu returns to the Middle Kingdom and talks with the H'ryth. Gup Theosang declares that the ember cannot be brought there, and then explains that a score of owls have fled the palace. While Tengshu agrees that the ember shouldn't be brought to the Middle Kingdom, he convinces the H'ryth that they can't live in "splendid isolation" anymore, telling him Orlando has joined the Pure Ones, and so will the other dragon owls. He asks the H'ryth for a Danyar division.

In order to recruit more creatures for the upcoming war, Coryn asks Kalo, Cory, and Gwyndor to accompany him to the Northern Kingdoms. Octavia asks to come, being from the Northern Kingdoms, and Kalo is enamored when she tells of her experiences. Kalo and Cory both agree to carry her there.

Wensel flies into the Canyonlands and is being followed by three Burrowing Owls, one of which was Tarn, and all three were armed with fire claws. Tavis and Cletus arrived, taunting and distracting the trio. Wensel used Tarn's fire claws to ignite a branch. Gylfie use a burning twig to ignite the tail feathers of one of the Burrowing Owls. As said owl was consumed by flames, the other two owls flew off in a flash.

As Coryn, Cory, and Kalo fly up the Firth of Fangs, they're greeted by a Barred owl and a Snowy Owl. They escort Kalo and Cory to Moss, while Coryn meets with Otulissa and Cleve at the Ice Dagger.

As the Guardians gather to exchange information, upon hearing Tengshu say that many dragon owls have left, Digger replies that Theo knew they were once hagsfiends.

Tarn is at the Ice Cliff Palace reporting to Nyra. He explains they'll need to adjust their schedule, relaying information from their slipgizzle Kylor that the ember is in the Beyond. Tarn gave orders for their forces in Kuneer to begin an invasion.

As the war commenced, Tarn led a squad of a dozen owls to attack Coryn. He and his squad were chased by Twilight, Tavis and Cletus, all while they hurled insults at the "bad-butt" Burrowing Owl.

After Coryn dies, a new constellation rises into the sky. Digger declares that it looks like Coryn, minus his scar. Digger then stands with Twilight and Glyfie before Soren and says that it's Soren's time to be king, at least until the heir to Coryn arises.

Lost Tales of Ga'hoole[]

Brothers Brave and Blustery[]

The Desert of Kuneer was a home to many Burrowing Owl families, including Saul and Trixie, who's burrow neighboured the home of Tavis and Cletus, Twilight's brothers. However, one night while hunting, the two Great Grays encounter a newcomer: Tarn, the same mercenary Burrowing Owl who would go on to become a Pure Ones captain. Tarn at first seems very serious and secretive Burrowing Owl who refuses to even give his name and begins excavating his burrow.

Later, the brothers speak with their old neighbor, an elderly Burrowing Owl named Hiram, who mentions to them that two other Burrowing Owls who were hostile and, like Tarn, refuse even to give their name, instead telling the elderly owl to mind his own business least they mind it for them and busying themselves with excavating their burrow.

The next day, the brothers see Tarn dragging at least a dozen mice into his burrow, which, in their eyes, is a disgusting broach of unofficial desert edict that none hunts more than they need. When they question why he needs so much food when he apparently lacks any permanent companions, he, after a quick flicker of concern, evades the question and simply tells them his name at their enquiring

That night, Hiram hears his new neighbors talking and they mention the Pure Ones and how 'Her Pureness' would be pleased by their success. The truth is then revealed: dozens of Burrowing Owls who are in secret servants of Nyra had infiltrated Kuneer on her orders, under the command of Tarn, to pave the way to conquer the desert. In an instant after hearing Hiram exclaim in response to this, a female Barn Owl who had previously been talking with the Burrowing Owl bursts into Hiram's burrow and ruthlessly kills him, whispering to the dying owl that the Tytonic Union of Pure Ones was back.

Noticing a Barn Owl exit Hiram's burrow, the Great Gray brothers listen in and hear Tarn barking orders to a vast collection of other owls, including several of his own kind, as they demand they finally claim the desert. He tells them that once they had connected the tunnels in the east and south, they would spill out to kill the other residents and take their burrows, as Nyra wants no word to get out of her presence, to the delight of the owls presence. The brothers set out to come up with a plan and warn their neighbors.

A pair of Burrowing Owls, Jacy and Dill, are trying to decide if they should leave, mentioning a neighbor named Odell who was very worried. Before they can decide, however, the invasion begins and a Sooty Owl belonging to the Tytonic force breaks through the wall and kills them, its face being the last thing either Burrowing Owls saw. Despite this, most of the Burrowing Owl community were able to evacuate in time and hide out in the border between Kuneer and Ambala.

Tavis and Cletus, however, go to help their friends, a pair of Burrowing Owls named Saul and Trixie who are sitting on a trio of eggs. One of the eggs hatches, so they put the chick on Cletus' back, while Saul and Trixie take the other two eggs. The Pure Ones give pursuit, and Trixie pecks at the eye of a Sooty, causing it to go yeep.

The brothers and their neighbors escape through a special tunnel they all dug, with Tarn and two other Burrowing Owls attacking them along with several others. As the heroes leave the tunnel, they collapse it, saving the Burrowing Owl family and forcing Tarn and his confederates to flee. In honor of the brothers, Saul and Trixie name their chick "Gray".

The Rise of a Legend[]

While training herself to be a smith, the runaway Thora Plonk chanced upon the remains of a Burrowing Owl on Stormfast Island that she burned out of respect for the dead. This owl, as it turned out, was a masterful Rogue Smith who plied his work as an arms trader from both the Kielian League and the League of the Ice Talons. Thora henceforth took his forge and his tools as her own and she remained there until she left to become a cadet at the Military Academy with Lyze and Moss after an Ice Talons raid on Lyze's home. During this battle, Elfstrom engaged in battle with a Burrowing Owl Ice Talon commando, who, like most of his kind, was more experienced with fighting on the earth rather than in the air and henceforth dropped the ice splinter he wielded. This splinter was taken up by Lyze, who came to his neighbour's aid and speared the Ice Talon in the chest, killing him.

While on Dark Fowl Island, Lyze witnessed a heavily-drunken Burrowing Owl attempt to flirt with his aunt Hanja, only to be rebuffed fiercely by the Whiskered Screech and shoved aside. Later, during Skellig's kidnapping of Orf, three weary Burrowing Owl fighters for the Kielian League who were back from the war were present at the same grog tree. One of this trio was apparently either half-blind or lacking an eye, for a patch covered one of them.

When Octavia is infiltrating the Ice Talons, she's directed to a female Burrowing Owl who is digging out a small ice hollow. Octavia asks if she's getting ready to lay eggs. The Burrowing Owl snaps that it's only for her as they're running out of room, but instantly realizes she's said too much and immediately backpedals, claiming she prefers an open hollow, and that the ice is easy to dig. Octavia helps make the hollow larger and eats the ice worms and the Burrowing Owl is grateful, but then seems to realize she's let her guard down, so asks what Octavia is doing here. Octavia replies that she was sent by Wick and is going to serve in low mess by catching fish. The Burrowing Owl is excited at the thought of eating fish, but quickly quenched the feeling, and curtly orders Octavia to follow.