Large owls are just as agressive as hawks. Thing about cats once they are about half grown, pound for pound they are nothing most other animals want to screw with. The predator might win but the cost is expensive. Easier ways to eat is what I think they figure. I’m glad my outdoor cats don’t weigh as much as my 3 year old border collie and wanting to play. Four feet of claws and chompers would be a problem.
I never much liked cats until I was given two female kittens which I accepted for rodent control. They remained strictly outdoor cats that I would house in a detached garage and feed daily.
Outdoor cats are amazingly different from house cats. They become far more athletic, are highly territorial, and are deadly and fearsome hunters.
At the same time, ours have always been far more affectionate than ant indoor cats we had. They will drop whatever they’re doing and come racing to you when called. They will go for walks with their owners just like dogs do. And they always followed me around the property when there were tasks to do. When I took a break from clearing brush, they would jump up to sit on my lap. I’ve even had them climb ladders to join my on the roof when I cleaned gutters.
They seem to have no fear. This may be hard to believe but I had one of my bigger outdoor cats bring home a great grey owl. On another occasion, I watched a different cat sneak up on a bald eagle perched on a dead tree stump. The cat spooked the eagle who took off from the stump. But when eagles take off, their weight sometimes drops them down a bit before they gain altitude. When that happened the cat leaped into the air and narrowly missed the bottom of the bird. I don’t think that would have been a good outcome for the cat. It’s not always good to be that fearless.