Hootz

Hootz appeared in 2014 video game called Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Hootzes are brown owl enemies who appear in Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, and are members of Snowmads as shown from their collar bearing the Snowmad insignia. They act similarly to the Tiki Buzzes from Donkey Kong Country Returns.

Hootzes do not actively attack the Kongs, only flying around in a set area. As with other enemies, if the Kongs come into contact with a Hootz, they lose a heart point. Hootz paths of movement include straight and circular lines and might appear in groups of two or more. Hootzes can be defeated with any attack, the safest being a stomp or barrel throw. If the Kongs bounce on them, they can receive an additional height boost, aside from defeating them.

Although they are present in most levels of the game, Autumn Heights is the island that seems to be themed after and dedicated to various species of Hootz. This is judged by their prominence and the numerous owl statues and constructions found there. In Bopopolis, arrangements of Hootz are used to bounce over bottomless pits. Enemies related to Hootzes include Pufftons and Blue Hootzes, and their leader, Skowl, resides near the summit of Autumn Heights. The Hootzes in the Skowl battle have a unique color of light gray, which matches that of Skowl's.