One in a series of posts dedicated to pop-culture depictions of owls — as stand-ins for educated, highbrow humans — from 1924–1983. The series derives its title from Owl’s home in A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories.

In 1981’s Clash of the Titans. Athena has Hephaestus fashion a clockwork duplicate of her own owl, and sends it to Perseus as a guide and helper.

Although a figure of fun, to some extent (see animated gif above), Bubo is also brave and ends up saving the day.

The film features the final work of legendary stop-motion visual effects artist Ray Harryhausen.

PS: Bubo appears only briefly in the 2010 remake. While preparing for the quest, Perseus finds Bubo in a bin in the armory and, picking him up, asks the soldiers of Argos what it is. They tell him, “Just leave it.” Bubo is unceremoniously tossed away. Ouch.