The chances of seeing owls, the symbol of wisdom, and therefore coming into contact with them, increase in winter when the leaves fall, making it easier to spot birds, especially at the beginning of the breeding season.

The Chicago Bird Association warns that humans can put owls under stress by interfering with their hunting methods, which exposes them to exhaustion and makes them more vulnerable to falling prey to raptors such as peregrine falcons and red-tailed hawks.

Experts recommend that when people see owls in the wild, they remain as quiet as possible, keep a distance between themselves and the birds, and use binoculars to clarify the view. Flash photography should always be avoided, especially after dark. They also advise against broadcasting the exact locations of owls on social media to ensure the safety of the birds.

About four million great horned owls can be found in a wide range of different environments across North America, including the state of Illinois, and this type of bird is often depicted in ways that suggest wisdom in popular culture and storybooks.

The Chicago Bird Association explains that great horned owls are the second largest species of owls in terms of numerical density in the United States after the snowy owl. They are known for their hunting skills, their large yellow eyes, and the feather tufts that adorn their heads. Their mating season begins in early January each year.

Edward Warden, president of the Chicago Ornithological Society, states that "owls can do a lot of work and can make their way inside a city to live in its trees, which is a more difficult process compared to a comfortable reserve inside a forest."

Matt Legalski, executive director of the Chicago Bird Association, says that waking these nocturnal birds, such as great horned owls, in the middle of the day is like waking a person in the middle of the night and forcing them to start, expecting them to perform well the next morning.

Warden points out that owls especially in winter "try to economize the energy they store," and says that they need to conserve every calorie to stay warm and alive. If they spend their time avoiding humans and small drones, they burn precious calories.

Warden emphasizes that owls and other animals such as foxes and prairie wolves can rid the city of its problems, such as the spread of rats, which led to Texas being dubbed "the most rat-infested city" for the ninth consecutive year.

In the end, with the expansion of urban areas, there must be places for animals to live, and humans must find a way to coexist with them respectfully.