Kaepora Gaebora

Kaepora Gaebora in Ocarina of Time.
Kaepora Gaebora
Species	Owl
Eye color	Blue
Debut	Ocarina of Time

Kaepora Gaebora is a wise and mysterious owl from the Zelda games. He often appears to aid young travelers by dispensing sage advice.

Background

Kaepora Gaebora first appears in Ocarina of Time, where he is said to be a reincarnated sage and is actually a form taken on by Rauru to guide the hero from within the Sacred Realm. He appears to Link throughout the first part of his adventure several times, and sometimes even gives Link a ride on his talons. Kaepora Gaebora had his last meeting with Link outside the Spirit Temple. After the seven years of Link's slumber, Kaepora Gaebora did not meet Link directly again, but he was often spotted flying nearby whenever Link learned a new song.

In Majora's Mask Kaepora Gaebora (possibly his Terminan counterpart, but with the same name) appeared to Link only twice. First in the southern swamp, he taught Link the Song of Soaring, which allowed Link to warp between owl statues. And at the northern mountain, he guided Link to the Lens of Truth. Link was the only person he spoke to, as he had been in contact with Darmani's ghost beforehand and assured the Goron spirit that someone who could help him was coming.

Kaepora Gaebora also appeared in Four Swords Adventures, where he gave advice to the four Links on several occasions. He first appeared after Link had drawn the Four Sword and "accepted the destiny of the Hero". He gave them information about Vaati and the Shadow Link, and he directed them on their quest to rescue the shrine maidens. When speaking to them atop Death Mountain, he also noted that Hyrule Castle had fallen to darkness and reported this to the Links after confirming it. He last appeared to them at Kakariko Village, where he remarked that Link had proven to be trustworthy and reliable, and he entrusted Hyrule's future to him.

Trivia

• He is based on a nameless owl from Link's Awakening. The owl of that game appears several times to advise Link just like Kaepora, but this owl is later revealed to actually be the personification of the Wind Fish.
• Kaepora Gaebora was commonly believed to be Rauru, and this was finally confirmed years later in the pages of the Hyrule Historia. However, this only applies to his Ocarina incarnation, and it is unknown if the Kaepora Gaebra in Majora's Mask and Four Swords Adventures are the same incarnation.