In standard Spanish, “buho” refers to the left-hand bird, whereas “lechuzas” refers to the right-hand bird. The distinction is whether or not those sharp feathers that resemble cat ears are present.
However, in México, there’s another word, “tecolote,” which comes from the Nahuatl language and can be used to describe both.
Lechuza (owl) is also known as ” Strix occidentalis lucida” It’s a common name for Lechuza.
It is “mottled Mexican tecolote”. It’s featherless on the top of its body. On the other hand, Búho is topped with feathers.
In this blog, we’ll be talking about subtle differences between Búho and Lechuza along with a detailed comparison in English and Spanish.
I’ll not only discuss the differences but also some of the most frequently asked questions. It’ll definitely boost your knowledge regarding Spanish and English Languages, and their detailed comparison.
What Is The Difference Between ‘Buho’ And ‘Lechuza’ In English And Spanish?
Within the same family, they’re two separate birds. There’re physical differences that distinguish them.
For those unfamiliar with the terms “bho” and “lechuza,” they’re both nocturnal birds of prey known as “owls,” though the “bho” is commonly larger and brown, while the “lechuza” is smaller and generally white.
It’s similar to Hedwig in Harry Potter.
According to the proper dictionary meaning, real=eagle owl lechuza=barn owl bhocomn. To the average English speaker who isn’t interested in birds, I believe an owl is just an owl.
All in all, if you’re looking for a word to describe an owl, Bho is a good choice.
Bho Vs. Lechuza Vs. Tecolote
Lechuza is of Spanish descent (though, just to add to the confusion, there is a Giant Evil Owl Witch legend called La Lechuza with Mexican origins).
Bho is a popular word in Latin America. As you can see, the term sounds like an onomatopoeia.
While, Tecolote is of Nahual ancestry.
Mexico, as well as parts of Guatemala and Honduras, are the countries where it’s most popular.
Although they’re both boys, Lechuza is a female.
When speaking, English speakers don’t discriminate between eagles and barn owls, whereas Spanish speakers do. Actually, they don’t have a word for either “eagle owl” or “barn owl,” so it’s strange. I guess it’s like calling a wolf a fox.
Overall, Spanish speakers have a variety of accents and word choices for naming animals.
What Does It Mean To Be A Lechuza?
Popular folklore in northern Mexico and Texas includes Lechuza, a Spanish word for an owl, particularly a barn owl, as a popular bird.
According to the myth, an elderly woman transforms into a huge owl named La Lechuza to get revenge on those who have harmed her during her life.
The fear of the lechuza has led to attacks on actual owls. A video of Mexican peasants interrogating and burning an owl alive went viral in August 2014.
According to the townspeople, the owl was actually a Lechuza, and the witch’s screams were heard while it was being burned. Some social media users slammed the episode as a case of superstition gone bad that resulted in animal abuse.
Who Makes Use Of Lechuza?
Because of the legend, the Spanish word lechuza can also refer to a “witch.” The creature is also known as a Lechuza instance or an appearance of the Lechuza (la Lechuza).
Some grandparents and parents tell the Lechuza story to their children to keep them in the house at night, as they do with many other cautionary folk tales and legends.
The lechuza is also mentioned in popular culture in Mexico, including in song titles. It’s not to be mistaken with a self-watering plant’s brand name.
Is There A Distinction Between Buho And Lechuza?
In a strict sense, they’re both words for “owl.” They’re entirely interchangeable, and your typical Joe on the street isn’t going to get into it with you.
Because let’s face it, it’s a fact. In Lima, there are no owls.
When someone talking about lechuzas suddenly starts talking about buhos, you, as a possible novice Spanish speaker, are likely to be puzzled.
It’s difficult enough to speak Spanish without having to think about synonyms.
We can’t have a handful of skills and knowledge about everything unless we put in the effort to learn it. Similarly the comparison of these words in English and Spanish can be done by good research regarding these topics.
The ornithology nerd in me was relieved to discover that there’s a distinction between the two. The difference is in the families.
Unless you’re a birder or a biologist, this is going to be meaningless to you, but I promise I’ll go into more depth shortly.
Buho is a Spanish word that refers to owls of the Strigidae family.
The owls in the Tytonidae family are referred to as lechuzas in Spanish. Now, we may investigate the traits of each family to see what makes them unique.
What Do You Know About The “Buho” Family?
Basically, Buho is a Spanish word that refers to owls of the Strigidae family. Typical owls” is a term used to describe these birds.
Following are some of the amazing facts about “Buho”
- In this family, there are 190 species of owls.
- They can be found on every continent except Antarctica, with the tropics accounting for the vast majority (80%).
- 95% of the species are woodland dwellers.
- They have a facial disc that is round (the area containing the eyes, beak, and face).
- Other physical characteristics include a short-hooked bill, huge slightly enlarged eyes, densely feathered legs, and cryptically colored plumage.
What Are Some Of The Noticeable Facts About Lechuza?
Tytonidae is a family of Lechuza.
Lechuza barn owls are a common name for these birds. They’re only about 16 species of owl in this family.
They’ve got a heart-shaped face disc, unlike the Strigidae. Some of their other physical traits are elongated compressed bills.
They’ve proportionately smaller eyes, lengthy legs, and dark plumage on the upper part of their bodies with lighter plumage on their undersides.
Lechuza Vs. Owl; The Contrast
They’re both owls. Buho, on the other hand, are larger and have pointy feathers on their heads, whilst Lechuza are smaller and lack pointy feathers.
In Spanish, this is a common barn owl, often known as a mochuelo.
The tale of the Lechuza, a Spanish word for a type of owl, particularly the barn owl, is prevalent throughout northern Mexico and Texas.
According to the narrative, an elderly woman transforms into a huge owl named La Lechuza to get revenge on those who have harmed her during her life.
Why Are There So Many Different Words For Owl?
Lechuza, mochuelo, cárabo, and autillo are all varieties of lechuza. Not to mention Bho and Tecolote, which I’ve already talked about.
Is it possible that they are all different names for the same animal? Is it true that some are more specific than others? Which one do you use and where do you use it?
Bhos and lechuzas are two distinct (but related) species of mammals. Autillo and mochuelo are probably more specific owl species.
On the other hand, Tecolote is an Aztec name that is probably solely used to refer to native species in Mexico and Central America.
owl—> bho lechuza—barn owl
These nouns, by the way, have epicene gender, which means that only one gender is used to refer to both sexes.
- “La macho lechuza”
- Hembra’s lechuza
- El macho, bho.
- El bho hembra el bho
These sentences show us the use of these words in Spanish.
In English, What Is A Tecolote?
Tecolote is one of a number of Spanish words for owl. The word “Nahuatl” was used in the Spanish-colonized territories of the United States and Mexico.
Tecolote is a term that comes from the Latin word tecolote. Tecolote Barbudo is a bearded screech owl native to Mexico.
In addition to that, Tecolote is one of the numerous Spanish terms that mean “owl.”
The word is Nahuatl in origin and is widely used in Mexico and Spanish-colonized areas of the United States.
Animals (English) | Spanish Names |
Cow | Vaca |
Horse | Caballo |
Donkey | Burro |
Chicken | Gallina |
What Do The Spanish Words ‘Tecolote’ And ‘Buho’ Mean?
Tecolate is a male word that means “owl.”
Masculine noun as:
- (bho) owl (Central America, Mexico).
- Mexico) (informal) (= polica) that means police officer.
Talking about “Bho”
As a noun:
The owl [noun] is a night-flying bird that feeds on small birds and mammals.
I think now you’re quite familiar with these words, their meanings, and their distinctive usage in English and Spanish.
In Mexican Culture, What Does An Owl Represent?
An owl is considered a symbol of darkness, death, and spirituality in Mexican Culture. The one who belonged to the 16th century.
The Mayans thought that the “Tecolote” (owl) had mystical abilities and that hearing one sing was a portent of impending death.
“The owl represents dimness, magic, twilight, and passing in Mexico,” said Florencio Rodriguez, 58, an artisan from Jalisco State.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I’d say that.
- Buho and Lechuza are two separate words of Spanish that refer to “birds or owl”
- Buhos have feathers on top of them. In contrast to that, the leechuza are feather-less from the top of their body.
- Bho’s are larger and have a brown color, while Lechuza’s are white and smaller.
- Although tecolate is another word given to owls, yet it is similar to Leechuza.
- Lechuza known as a mottled Mexican tecolate.
- Tecolate is also another word given to owls in Spanish.
- Lechuza, Mochuelo, cárabo, and autillo are all varieties of lechuza.
All in all, Spanish is a complex language that has different words with similar meanings. Unlike English birds and owls in Spanish are given so many names, which makes them extremely different from one another.
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