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 who appears as a recurring character in several Legend of Zelda games. He often appears to aid young travelers by dispensing sage advice.

Background

Kaepora Gaebora first appeared in Ocarina of Time, where he was said to be a reincarnated sage and was actually a form taken on by Rauru to guide the hero from within the Sacred Realm. He appeared to Link several times throughout the first part of his adventure, and on some occasions he even gave 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. This was possibly because Rauru had since come into direct contact with Link, but he never told Link that he was the owl all along.

In Majora's Mask Kaepora Gaebora 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. It was never clarified if this was the same Kaepora Gaebora from Ocarina of Time or a Terminan counterpart of his.

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

• Part of his name may be derived from the Japanese onomatopoeia "bora bora", which refers to repetition. This could be a joke on how much exposition he delivers to the player and how he always offers to repeat it.
• 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 after the release of Ocarina of Time in the pages of the Hyrule Historia. However, this only applies to his Ocarina incarnation, and it is unknown if the Kaepora Gaebora in Majora's Mask and Four Swords Adventures are the same incarnation.
• The character of Gaepora from Skyward Sword is noted for having a similar name, an owl-like laugh and physical features that are reminiscent of Kaepora Gaebora, as well as also resembling Rauru. It is unknown if this was just done as a reference, or if Gaepora is connected to Rauru/Kaepora Gaebora in some way.
• He has a habit of turning his head upside-down, with gives the illusion of a second face.