Hoo’s Who Harry Potter fans give a hoot about owls

Owls long have been denizens of the dark, creatures of mystery.

So it’s little wonder that the nocturnal birds are so prominent at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the setting for J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” book series (Harry’s own is Hedwig, a snowy owl). They also figure to be abundant in the movie adaptation of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which opens Friday.

In a timely effort to educate area children, the Maine Discovery Museum is offering the presentation “All About Owls,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at its 74 Main St. location in Bangor.

Andrea Stark, the museum’s director of education and exhibits, explained that “All About Owls” is the third presentation in the recent “Calling All Harry Potter Fans” series, with “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Make a Magic Wand” held earlier. The museum’s series of science programs, “Wizard World,” also is homage to Hogwarts’ fledgling wizard, Stark added.

There are several facets to “All About Owls.” On the science side, wildlife specialist Tony Sohns will give a talk and bring in owl wings and talons for children to examine. They also will dissect owl pellets. Stark explained that owls digest their prey whole, then regurgitate them in clumps. Inside these pellets, it’s possible to find whole bones or even entire skeletons.

Participants also will make masks in the shape of owl faces, decorating them with feathers. In addition, there will be a reading of “Adopted by an Owl: The True Story of Jackson the Owl,” written by Robbyn Smith-Van Frankenhuyzen and illustrated by her husband, Frank Van Frankenhuyzen.

The event will be capped at 3:30 by a Harry Potter costume contest, with the winner taking home two tickets to the movie.

Stark said presentations based around Harry Potter were a natural for the museum.

“Since Harry’s on everybody’s mind, we wanted to tie in as much as we could,” she said. “Not everyone will be able to go to the movie this weekend, but they can still get into the spirit of things.”

For more information, call the Maine Discovery Museum at 262-7200.