From Gigi Lautard

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a species of owl formerly known as the fearful owl or white lady.

The species inhabits every continent except Antarctica and certain islands. It is the most widespread species of Strigiformes in the world.

The barn owl is the subject of many legends and ghost stories.

Indeed, its hooting, shrill cries, ghostly flight, and cavorting in the attic where it roosts all lent credence to its spectral presence. In the Middle Ages, the owl was a symbol of heresy.

It appears around 40 times in the works of Hieronymus Bosch, including in The Temptation of Saint Anthony (it is painted on the head of the character following Saint Anthony).

This bad reputation of the “white lady” led to her being nailed to the doors of the barns she inhabited, a practice that was supposed to protect against storms, ward off disease, ward off bad luck, and scare away other owls.

This bad reputation is attested to by Buffon in 1780, who wrote about the barn owl:

"It makes various shrill sounds, all so unpleasant that, combined with the idea of its proximity to cemeteries and churches, and the darkness of night, it inspires horror and fear in children, women, and even men who are subject to the same prejudices and who believe in ghosts, witches, and omens.

They regard the barn owl as an omen of death, a messenger of death; they believe that when it settles on a house and utters a cry that differs from its usual call, it is summoning someone to the cemetery."

The barn owl gives its name to one of the first collections by the poet Philippe Jaccottet, L'Effraie.

Thankfully today, for much of the world, attitudes about owls have changed.

The Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) is now hanging up owl signs promoting One Owl, One Village to promote the fact having an owl in your neighborhood shows the signs of having a healthy and balanced local ecosystem.

From Giroussens Town Hall

The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) officially unveiled the "One Owl, One Village" plaque today, marking the local commitment to biodiversity. The presence of barn owls in Giroussens is an excellent indicator of the quality of life in the community. As part of this partnership with the LPO, plans are also underway to involve schools and residents in activities related to local wildlife (a refuge area around the school, the installation of educational beehives, etc.).