2. The Lechuza is a race of monstrous owl-women who hunt humans, especially children
The Big Owl (also known as Lechuza) is a mythological race of cannibalistic owl-women according to the folklore of the Yakama people, the inhabitants of modern-day Washington state. The Lechuza live in caves and hunt the people of nearby tribes, preferring the taste of children. Considered among the most dangerous human predators, they were believed to be the progenitors of the entire owl species – themselves a spiritual symbol of death throughout Native American communities; it is believed after a Lechuza drowned, her eye was used to spawn all other lesser owls. Having spread in legend to southern Texas and Mexico, recent years have seen reports of an owl-like monster called Le Lechuza in relation to unexplained deaths and sinister occurrences in the region.
The Lechuza is reflected in the folklore of numerous other Native tribes, including the Seminole “Stikini” and Wabanaki “Cipelahq”. The Stikini are believed to be evil witches with the power to transform themselves into owl-like creatures. During daytime, they walk among the Seminole people still, but at night they vomit their souls and become undead owl monsters that feast upon human hearts. Among some communities, it is feared even speaking the name risks turning yourself into one, whilst others use the Stikini as a children’s bogeyman. Similarly, the Cipelahq is a dangerous bird spirit, possessing a spectral cry and taking the form of a large owl with only its head and talons visible to the human eye. As with some Seminole communities, the Cipelahq has typically been used by the Wabanaki in children’s folktales.