Hedwig lives!

What marvellous birds these Snowy Owls are. I don't think any breed in the UK at the moment, but across the sea in Norway and Sweden they are more prevalent. The male is whiter than the female and is smaller, which is why a male owl was chosen to star in the Harry Potter films as they would be easier for a child actor to hold.

In the film, Hedwig is heard to hoot, but Snowy Owls bark. After the first film, this was pointed out to J.K.Rowling, but she decided to keep the hoot for continuity. The name of the main owl used in the films was Gizmo.

Poland once had a king named Hedwig, and indeed they have a St Hedwig's Day on 12th October to celebrate another Hedwig - Saint Hedwig of Andechs.