Owls are a popular trope in the mythologies of many cultures, some of which believed that these nocturnal creatures were harbingers of impending death, with a mission to collect wayward souls. But don’t worry: we have it on the highest authority that this screech owl will not consume the very essence of your being.
Screech owls live throughout the United States, although they’re so fantastic at camouflage you’re unlikely to ever see them. Instead, they tuck away in the nooks and crannies of trees. However, a representative of the Department of the Interior offers the slightly-unnerving, “But remember, even if you can’t see them, they can see you.” If that’s not bad enough, they continue:
Screech owls are opportunistic predators. They eat whatever they can easily catch: mice, rats, birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians and fish. But we’re pretty sure human souls aren’t on the menu.
So don’t worry about it. Your immortal afterlife is totally safe. Really.