A Group of Owls Is Called a ‘Parliament’

With their wide eyes and habit of sitting perfectly still while watching the world around them, owls have long been viewed as symbols of wisdom. Those traits also helped inspire the term “a parliament of owls,” reflecting the image of these birds as serious, thoughtful observers. The association also draws on ancient Greek mythology, in which an owl accompanies Athena, the goddess of wisdom and reason, who became a symbol of freedom and democracy across the Western world.

When owls call to one another, their back-and-forth vocalizations may sound like a formal discussion taking place in the darkness. In reality, owls are mostly solitary animals, and gatherings are uncommon. When two or more owls gather, it’s for practical reasons, such as raising young, taking advantage of an area with abundant food, or simply sharing a roost.