When I think of 'magic bird,' the first bird that comes to mind is the barn owl. They're so weightless and silent...even moreso than other owls. Their shape is even unusual, which lends to the fact that they belong to a different scientific family - while most owls are Strigidae, Barn Owls are Tytonidae. Wild!

I've had the honor of working with a barn owl, and there's just something so different about them...almost something smarter, compared to the barred and screech and great horned owls. I painted this feather specifically for the Anthrocon 2011 Charity Auction.

Acrylic with iridescent highlights on two small turkey feathers, about 8 inches long