A’da Wahu’i: A Young Screech Owl’s Rescue and Place in Cherokee Culture

We were surprised by a baby ᏩᎱᎢ Wahu'i or screech owl (Western in these areas) one morning in early April in our backyard. It was sitting at the bottom of one of our blue oak trees. It was too young to fly and didn’t move from the spot, but we had seen Mama Wahu’i in that area in the early morning hunting for bugs.

We were immediately on the case. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the nest, so we put it in a small box to keep it safe and warm while we determined whether to intervene and how. After all, a young animal’s best chance of survival is usually with its mother. As a nurse, I was troubled to see that Little Wahu’i was drowsy and only opened its eyes a little to gentle handling, but it was still alive and breathing. We left messages at our closest wildlife rescue operations: Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento and Gold Country Wildlife Rescue. Both groups called back within a few minutes. They confirmed that the mother might not be able to rehome her baby into the nest. They said we should bring in the young bird for hydration and care as soon as possible.

We kept little Wahu’i safe and warm and now the experts are taking care of it. If baby survives, they’ll release it near its home. We later spotted Mama Wahu’i in the same blue oak (image above) as well as another fledgling learning to fly successfully with Mama. We also discovered the nest quite high up - Mama Wahu’i had taken over a nest made by ᎫᎴ ᏗᏍᎪᏂ Gule Disgoni (Mourning Dove – translated literally as “S/He Who Cries for Acorns”). Baby had managed to walk over 20 feet to its protective oak shelter.

I’m so grateful for the important, integral work both rescue organizations do in caring for our vulnerable animal relatives. If you’re feeling generous, both organizations are amazing and take donations. We happily donated to both that day. While Baby Wahu’i may have fallen a distance, I’m still holding out hope that we’ll see it flying around our area soon.

Wahu’i (Screech Owl) in Cherokee Culture

As told in the book Cherokee Earth Dwellers by Christopher Teuton and Hastings Shade, Shade has said the Cherokees believe that the little Wahu’i can sometimes be someone who comes to look in on them. It is said that, when the owl calls near your home, you can determine whether it is a real owl by tying a corner of your bed sheet or your shirt tail into a knot. If the owl continues hollering, then it is a real owl. If it silences, then it was someone looking in on you. “The elders say, ‘If you don’t believe me… try it’” (Teuton & Shade, 2023, p. 178).

Wahu’i also makes an appearance in our often told story of the First ᎠᏥᎳ Atsila (Fire). A long time ago, ᎢᎸᎯᏳ ᏥᎨᏒ ilvhiyu tsigesv (the great forever that was), when the world was dark and cold, Creator sent Lightning to set fire to a sycamore tree on a far off island. All the animals, birds, insects, and reptiles came together as a council to decide who would get the fire for them all. Many animals, including Wahu’i, attempted to bring back the fire. However, like his brothers and sisters, he was not successful. The fire flamed up and burned his eyes when he looked at it. This is why he comes out at night – because he cannot see well in the daylight. We know that, eventually, the tiny ᎧᎾᏁᏍᎩ ᎠᎹᏱ Kananesgi Amayi (Water Spider) was allowed to try and returned successful. She was so small and humble that everyone ignored her. They thought she could not. But Kananesgi Amayi used her other attributes: ingenuity, tool making, bravery, sacrifice, and a good heart. She cleverly crafted our first clay pot to put an ember into (or our first basket depending on your family’s story), bravely escaped many perils, traversed a wide expanse of water, and brought back the ultimate gift of Atsila to all the animals and Cherokee, which still burns today. “As Hastings said, you don’t have to be big to accomplish great things” (Teuton & Shade, 2023, p. 42). And our community is most strong and whole when everyone participates in the ways we are able.

ᏩᏙ Wado.

— Sabrina McKinney