What a hoot: laughing owl becomes web sensation – video

A video of a "laughing" owl has racked up nearly three million views on You Tube – even if it's not all it seems.

According to Metro, the soundtrack of a "full-on belly laugh" was added after the pet's owner saw the clip's comic potential. The illusion is convincing: the snowy owl narrows his eyes and throws back his head in apparent mirth as he starts to chuckle.

But scholars familiar with the mythology of owls might not be surprised that the laughter is not genuine.

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In many countries owls are considered a portent of bad news. According to Owlpages.com, these negative associations stem from ancient mythologies which continue to resonate in the collective imagination.

Here are some owl-based myths and beliefs from around the world:

East Africa: the owl brings illness to children

Arabia: the owl is a bird of ill omen

Sweden: owls are associated with witches

Germany: if an owl hoots as a child is born, the baby will live an unhappy life

Mexico: the owls brings the cold north wind

Scotland: it's a bad omen to see an owl in daylight

Spain: the owl had a sweet singing voice until Jesus was crucified.