The legend of the scops owl is linked to its origin as an angel. In ancient times, the scops owl was an angel sent to fetch the water of life. He took a golden pitcher and set out to carry out his task, but never returned. God, angered, turned him into a scops owl. This myth is also known in Serbia, where the owl’s origin is linked to an angel who had sinned against God.

— Gura. Animal Symbolism in Slavic Folk Tradition, p. 575