Owl

The Owl is a supporting character in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. He appears during critical parts of Link's adventure, providing him with advice and directions on where to go next. The Owl is similar to Kaepora Gaebora, an owl who debuted in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, where Kaepora Gaebora also gave directions and instructions to Link during certain parts of his adventure. The Owl often starts and ends his speeches by hooting. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Owl appears as a spirit.

The owl statues that also give advice to Link resemble the Owl, whom they are likely based on because the owl statues also give advice to Link.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
In The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, the Owl first appears at Toronbo Shores, just when Link is about to retrieve his sword. The Owl tells Link that the monsters of Koholint Island have begun to act violently because of Link's arrival on Koholint Island. The Owl further explains that Link cannot leave the island unless he awakens the Wind Fish. The Owl flies off to the Mysterious Forest, where he meets with Link again.

When Link first enters the Mysterious Forest, the Owl appears to Link and tells him the key to the Tail Cave is hidden within the forest. The Owl tells Link that the Wind Fish is observing him. After obtaining the Tail Key from a Treasure Chest, Link encounters the Owl again, who guides him to use the key to open Tail Cave.

At the end of Tail Cave, when Link obtains the first instrument, the Full Moon Cello, the Owl appears to Link a fourth time. The Owl originally believed Link was not real, suggesting they are part of the Wind Fish's dream, then he tells Link that all eight Instruments of the Sirens have the power to wake up the Wind Fish. After mentioning that he was given instructions to guide Link, the Owl tells him to go to Goponga Swamp next.

In the Ancient Ruins, both the Owl and the Wind Fish are depicted on a mural. It suggests that all of Koholint Island, including the Owl, are only part of the Wind Fish's dream. After Link finishes reading the mural, the Owl appears again and says that nobody is certain if the writing is true except the Wind Fish himself. He tells Link to use his feelings as a guide in seeking the answer.

Later, the Owl tells Link that Marin sang a song of awakening, the Ballad of the Wind Fish at the Wind Fish's Egg. The Owl wonders if Marin was trying to wake the Wind Fish. After retrieving all eight Instruments of the Sirens, Link also plays the song at the Wind Fish's Egg, breaking it open. The Owl instructs Link to go inside, saying it is time for the Wind Fish to wake up.

After defeating the Nightmares, Link climbs up a ladder to the Wind Fish. The Owl appears before Link a final time, thanking him for defeating the Nightmares. The Owl reveals that he is part of the Wind Fish's spirit and is a guardian of his dream world. The Owl says he always believed that Link had the courage to fight the Nightmares. Announcing his work as finished, the Owl says good bye to Link and leaves. The Wind Fish wakes up and the entire Koholint Island, including the Owl, vanish.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Owl is featured as a spirit, which is a depiction of his artwork for The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening's Nintendo Switch remake. At first, the Owl was exclusive to the "Return to Koholint" event. Starting with version 4.0.0, his spirit can be obtained from the Spirit Board.

Trivia

 * When he is encountered at the end of the game, his flying animation contains noticeably more frames than previously.