Owl cartoon characters we all love include Rowlet, Big Mama from The Fox and the Hound, Owl from Winnie the Pooh, and Archimedes.
Owls, always symbolizing wisdom and knowledge, captivate our imagination with their enigmatic presence and mysterious nocturnal habits.
Over the years, animators have breathed life into these elusive birds, creating memorable and beloved owl characters that leave an indelible mark on popular culture.
Unforgettable Owl Cartoon Characters in Animation
These owls are not just smart; they’re sassy and stylish, too, bringing a lot of whimsy and charm to the screen. So buckle up and get ready to be entertained as we celebrate these top animated owl stars’ wit, wisdom, and feathered fabulousness!
13Professor Owl – Disney Melody
In the animated short film Melody, an educational installment of Adventures in Music, Walt Disney Productions presents a captivating story, released in theaters by RKO Radio Pictures on May 28, 1953.
During the film, Professor Owl enthusiastically teaches and leads a lively choir composed of bird children with adult voices in his music class.
Throughout the class, he underscores the importance of melody in music and illustrates how it is abundant in nature.
12Clockwerk – Sly Cooper
Clockwerk, the main antagonist of Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus and the franchise, is an ambient robot-like Eurasian eagle-owl who leads the Fiendish Five and serves as the nemesis of the Cooper Clan.
Consumed by jealousy for the Cooper Clan’s reputation as thieves, Clockwerk despises them so much that he replaces his mortal body with soulless machinery to keep up with them through time.
Although Sly Cooper presumably destroys him, Clockwerk’s legacy still haunts the Cooper Gang.
11Mr. Know It Owl – Tootsie Pop commercial
Since its debut in the 1970s, the classic Tootsie Pop commercial featuring the well-known character, Mr. Know It Owl, has become an integral part of popular culture.
In this animated advertisement, a boy seeks answers from various animals about the number of licks required to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop, a popular candy with a hard candy shell and a chocolate center.
Upon approaching the wise and knowledgeable Mr. Know It Owl, the boy poses the same question. Eager to assist, Mr. Know It Owl takes the Tootsie Pop and starts counting out loud while licking it.
Unable to resist the temptation, Mr. Know It Owl bites into the candy after three licks, concluding that it takes three to reach the center.
10Screech -The Incredibles 2
In the 2018 Pixar film, The Incredibles 2, Screech, a popular owl cartoon character, takes on the role of a secondary character. He is part of a group of aspiring superheroes called the “Wannabes,” Each member boasts unique abilities and looks up to established superheroes like Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl.
Screech’s character design highlights his owl-like nature by incorporating large, expressive eyes and feather-like details.
His superpowers include:
- Flying.
- Rotating his head 360 degrees.
- Emitting powerful sonic blasts that can incapacitate enemies and cause destruction.
9Mr. Owl – Franklin
Mr. Owl is a character from the children’s animated television series Franklin, based on the children’s book series by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark.
The show follows the adventures of Franklin Turtle, a young turtle learning about life, friendship, and responsibility. In the series, Mr. Owl serves as Franklin’s teacher.
He is a wise, kind, and patient character who guides his students through their lessons and helps them understand and navigate daily challenges.
8Bubo – Clash of the Titans
Bubo, a memorable owl character, appears in the 1981 fantasy film Clash of the Titans. Although not a traditional animated character, stop-motion animation brings Bubo, a mechanical owl, to life, adding a unique element to the world of owl characters in popular culture.
The gods create Bubo in the film as a loyal companion and guide for the protagonist, Perseus.
This mechanical owl actively assists Perseus during his perilous journey to save Princess Andromeda, offering valuable information and support as he encounters various mythological creatures and challenges.
7X the Owl – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
X the Owl, a beloved puppet character, stars in the long-running children’s television show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which aired from 1968 to 2001.
The show’s host and creator, Fred Rogers, aimed to teach young children valuable life lessons, social skills, and emotional intelligence. X the Owl plays a significant role in conveying these educational messages.
Living in a tree in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, X the Owl showcases curiosity, intelligence, and a love of learning.
6Friend Owl – Bambi
In Disney’s 1942 classic animated film, Bambi, Friend Owl plays the role of a beloved owl cartoon character. As an older and wiser figure in the forest, he supports and advises the young animals, including the titular character Bambi, a deer fawn.
Throughout the film, Friend Owl actively shares his knowledge and life experience with the forest’s inhabitants, assisting them in understanding the world and overcoming challenges.
His character embodies the wisdom and guidance typically attributed to owls, endearing him to audiences.
5Longclaw – Sonic the Hedgehog
Longclaw, an anthropomorphic owl, boasts a notably more realistic appearance than other anthropomorphic animals from Mobius.
Her body features purple-brown feathers, while her face has white and light brown feathers extending from her nose ridge and over her eyes to form eyebrows.
She also has blue eyes and a short, curved black beak. Two light brown and black-striped feathers emerge from behind her ear tufts, reminiscent of a great horned owl and large, mottled brown wings.
Longclaw’s wrist joints have small dexterous digits, separate from her primary feathers, similar to the forelimbs of a small, feathered dinosaur.
4Rowlet – Pokémon
Rowlet, a popular owl cartoon character, emerges from the world-famous Pokémon franchise, encompassing video games, television shows, movies, and trading cards.
Drawing inspiration from owls, Rowlet is a Grass/Flying-type Pokémon with a round body, large expressive eyes, and an adorable leaf-like bowtie.
Known for its silent flight, stealth, and sharp-shooting skills, Rowlet uses razor-sharp leaves to attack opponents in battles.
3Big Mama – The Fox and the Hound
Big Mama, a renowned owl cartoon character, appears in Disney’s 1981 animated feature, The Fox and the Hound. As a wise and experienced owl, she takes on a nurturing and caring role in the life of the young, orphaned fox Tod.
Big Mama offers guidance and support to Tod, helping him navigate the challenges of life, friendship, and the complexities of the natural world.
Her soothing voice and maternal presence make her a heartwarming and unforgettable character in animation.
Big Mama’s character showcases the wisdom and kindness often associated with owls, making her a beloved figure that resonates with young and old audiences.
2Archimedes – The Sword in the Stone
Starring as a famous owl cartoon character in Disney’s 1963 animated classic, The Sword in the Stone, Archimedes serves as the trusted sidekick of Merlin, the legendary wizard.
Archimedes guides and mentors young Arthur on his journey to become the King of England.
Highly intelligent and somewhat sarcastic, Archimedes offers a voice of reason and a wealth of knowledge to support Arthur’s growth and development. His witty remarks and occasional impatience inject humor into the film, making him an unforgettable character in animation history.
1Owl – Winnie the Pooh
Owl, the wise and somewhat verbose character from A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie the Pooh stories, is a classic icon in animation.
With his vast knowledge and fatherly demeanor, Owl imparts wisdom and advice to his fellow residents of the Hundred Acre Wood.
Though he may occasionally lose his way in his own long-winded explanations, Owl remains a beloved and endearing figure in the hearts of both children and adults alike.