By his expression, I’m pretty sure that this Short-eared Owl isn’t going to follow the instructions. Photo taken 1/5/17 on the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, and then posted on Flickr by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Photo by Tom Koerner/USFWS. Posted on 1/9/17.
You’re probably right, although owls have been getting much smarter in their communications with humans. I saw it on TV – this same owl was talking to a lady about WGU – an online university for the Western states.