Spanish Word of the Day: Búho (owl)

Búhos, or owls in English, have long been regarded as mysterious animals with cultural significance. In some cultures, they are seen as symbols of wisdom, while others view them as supernatural beings or omens. Let’s learn more about these fascinating animals.

Búho traces its origins back to Latin. It derives from the term bubo, which originally referred specifically to the horned owl. Over time, it began to encompass all types of owls. This word is also thought to have connections to the Greek word búbos. The Latin term is associated with the sound owls make, often described as a deep, hooting call. It’s important to note that the h in Spanish is silent, so the pronunciation refers to the sound buo.

Búho is a masculine noun and it uses the following definite and indefinite articles: 

• el búho = the owl
• los búhos = the owls
• un búho = an owl
• unos búhos = some owls

Búhos are aves nocturnas (nocturnal birds) with many physical features that set them apart from other avian species. They have large round heads that turn nearly 270 degrees, allowing them to have a greater field of vision for spotting presa (prey). Their wide eyes are often yellow or orange which helps enable them to see in low light and serve as visión nocturna (night vision). These two things combined help them be skilled hunters. 

Fun Fact:

Búhos cannot move their ojos (eyes). Instead, they rotate their head 270 degrees to scan their surroundings. This helps enhance their field of vision without the need to move their cuerpo (body). 

Búhos also can camuflajear (camouflage) themselves due to their plumage that blends against the tree bark and foliage in their natural habitats. Their plumas (feathers) are typically brown, grey, white, tan, reddish, or rusty in colour. They also have patrones (patterns) such as stripes, bars, speckles, and facial discs that are lighter or darker for contrast. 

These excellent cazadores (hunters) have feathers with specialised features such as soft edges and a velvety texture, allowing them to fly in silence, or silenciosamente. Plus, they have capacidades auditivas agudas (acute hearing capabilities) to locate the sounds of their prey. Another advantage when hunting is their powerful garras (talons). Búhos have strong, sharp talons to grip their prey firmly without them escaping. This is yet another reason they are great at capturing and killing their presa (prey). 

Búhos tend to stalk their prey by sitting around to wait on them. This allows them to conserve their energy while staying vigilant. Others planean (glide) silently above the ground to spot signs of life and fly down to grab their prey with their garras (talons). Some owls emboscan (ambush) their prey by waiting outside madrigueras (burrows) or nidos (nests) and grabbing them as they come out.

Although most búhos are solitary hunters, some species, like the Great Horned Owl, may hunt in pairs or small groups to increase their success rate and to tackle larger prey together. 

Their dieta (diet) is diverse, but they prey primarily on small mamíferos (mammals) such as mice and rabbits. Some will even hunt young foxes. They also prey on small aves (birds) or raid nests for eggs or nestlings. Their diet also includes insectos (insects) such as beetles and crickets while others eat peces (fish) and anfibios (amphibians) such as frogs. 

There are over 200 species of owls found around the world. Below are some of the most well-known:

• búho cornudo / búho real = Great Horned Owl
• lechuza = barn owl
• búho nival = snowy owl
• búho chico = long-eared owl
• cárabo lapón = great grey owl
• tecolote llanero / lechucitas de las vizcacheras = burrowing owl

Fun Fact:

Tecolote is another Spanish term for owl, primarily used in Mexico and Central America. The word tecolote is believed to have origins in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. The word can refer to any owl species, but it often evokes the symbolism of wisdom or omens and superstitions. 

Búhos thrive in diverse environments which shows us how adaptable these creatures are. They can be found in desiertos (deserts), bosques tropicales (tropical rainforests), bosques (woodlands), and even urban and suburban areas. They also live in bosques templados (temperate forests), bosques de coníferas (coniferous forests), pastizales (grasslands), sabanas (savannas), humedales wetlands, and regiones costeras (coastal regions). 

Their camouflaging ability allows them to blend in easily into any medio ambiente (environment) while their flexible nesting behavior allows them to adaptarse (adapt) easily. They will use different hunting strategies according to the hábitat (habitat) they live in. For example, in dense forests, they rely more on emboscar (ambushing), whereas in open fields, they hunt by hovering silently above the ground. 

Ecologically speaking, búhos play a crucial role in the ecosistema (ecosystem) as predators that help control the overpopulation of pestes (pests) that spread diseases, such as small animals and insects. 

Cultural beliefs surrounding búhos are varied. These mysterious creatures are often seen in traditions and folklore as symbols of sabiduría (wisdom) and some cultures see them as espíritus guardianes (guardian spirits) or guías para la otra vida (guides to the afterlife). In stories, they are usually depicted as wise old figures, such as counsellors or advisors. 

They have negative associations too. Some cultures see them as mal agüeros (bad omens) or mala suerte (bad luck), while others view them as symbols of muerte (death) and desgracia (misfortune). 

Fun Fact:

The Zapotec people of Oaxaca believe the owl possesses special powers. Some believe its call may signal impending desgracia (misfortune) while others believe it serves as an aviso de protección (protective warning).

Spanish idioms featuring ‘búho’