Kaepora Gaebora

Kaepora Gaebora is an owl introduced in Ocarina of Time. He is both very large and very knowledged, traits he uses to carry the Hero places and to advise him on the next course of his quest.

In Ocarina of Time, Kaepora Gaebora is said by a Gossip Stone to be the reincarnation of an ancient sage. It is therefore not unlikely his Ocarina of Time and Four Swords Adventures incarnations are the same character. It also helps explain why he knows so much about Hyrule and why he keeps track of Link's proceedings.

Ocarina of Time
Kaepora Gaebora awaited Link when he left Kokiri Forest, giving him encouragements on the quest the Great Deku Tree had put him on and directing him to Hyrule Castle. He then left with the message they'd meet again.

True to his word, Kaepora Gaebora was often around when Link entered or was near a new area to offer information. On two occasions he even provided easy travel by flying Link back to a more central area. After Link awakened in the future however, Kaepora Gaebora was nowhere to be found, with one exception. When Link learned the Requiem of Spirit from Sheik, Kaepora Gaebora looked on, but did not make his presence known.

Oddly, he seems to refer to this moment back in the past years which Link had to travel to to obtain the Silver Gauntlets. That also was the last time the two spoke, as Kaepora Gaebora noted that he was no longer necessary. With one last piece of advice on the battle with Twinrova ahead, he flew off never to return again.

Encounters

 * Initial Appearance: At the entrance of Hyrule Field from Kokiri Forest.
 * Gives a self-introduction and directs Link towards Hyrule Castle.


 * Second Appearance: At the entrance of Kakariko Village.
 * Introduces Link to Kakariko Village and redirects Link to Hyrule Castle if he has not spoken to Princess Zelda yet.


 * Third Appearance: At the crossroads of Lake Hylia and Gerudo Valley.
 * Gives Link information on the Lake Hylia and Gerudo Valley regions.


 * Fourth Appearance: On the road to Lake Hylia.
 * Provides Link information on the Zora race as well as an insight into the Lake itself. Kaepora helps Link locate the Lake on his map subscreen as well.


 * Fifth Appearance: Near Hyrule Castle.
 * Encourages Link to infiltrate Hyrule Castle and chats about the passing of time in the overworld as compared to civilization.


 * Sixth Appearance: Over Lon Lon Ranch. He flies above Link as Malon teaches him Epona's Song.


 * Seventh Appearance: Before the Lost Woods in the Kokiri Forest.
 * Informs Link on Saria's location deep in the Sacred Forest Meadow.


 * Eighth Appearance: Deep in the Lost Woods.
 * Divulges information on ocarina song usage.


 * Ninth Appearance: At the top of Death Mountain.
 * Gives information on Death Mountain, the Great Fairies and a shortcut to Kakariko Village.


 * Tenth Appearance: At the entrance to Zora's River.
 * Reports more information about the Zoras and how to enter their domain.


 * Eleventh Appearance: At Lake Hylia.
 * Gives insight on the Water Temple its protection by the Zoras, and offers a ride back to Hyrule Castle Town.


 * Twelfth Appearance: Nearby the Spirit Temple in the Desert Colossus, in the era of Adult Link. He observes Link learn the Requiem of Spirit, then flies off.


 * Final Appearance: At the entrance of the Spirit Temple in the Desert Collossus.
 * Reports his final bit of knowledge on defeating Twinrova and bids Link goodbye.

Majora's Mask
In the alternate dimension of Termina, the wise owl too has a counterpart as he makes two appearances in Majora's Mask. He teaches Link the Song of Soaring, which allows Link to warp to different activated Owl Statues that resemble Kaepora Gaebora himself. He is seen again at Snowhead, where he tells Link where the Lens of Truth is and helps him get to the cave where it is placed by using his feathers to point to a group of invisible platforms that Link can use to reach the cave.

Four Swords Adventures
Kaepora Gaebora himself makes a reappearance in Four Swords Adventures, serving much the same role he did in Ocarina of Time. He is first seen after Link withdraws the Four Sword from its pedestal. Afterward, Kaepora Gaebora will appear in several levels to guide the Links on what he must do next.

Theories
Sage identity - Being said to be the reincarnation of an ancient Sage, Kaepora Gaebora is subject to much speculation on his original identity. It is often argued that Kaepora Gaebora is Rauru's form outside of the Sacred Realm. This assumption is based on two things mainly. For one on that they both are/have been ancient Sages, and furthermore on that one of the Gossip Stones' states that "[Kaepora Gaebora's] character is rather lighthearted", which is thought to be a reference to Rauru's status as the Sage of Light. However, a lot of the things said by Rauru and Kaepora Gaebora don't add up if they are supposed to be the same character, like that Kaepora Gaebora did not believe in "the tales of a boy who could travel back and forth through time", whereas Rauru was the very person who caused that time travel. Or that Kaepora Gaebora on his last appearance notes that it's his "last advice", whereas Rauru goes on guiding Link for a little longer. While it may be theorized Rauru didn't want his alternate identity from being discovered, there is no reason why he wouldn't want that.

Another popular suggestion is that Kaepora Gaebora is the reincarnation of Kasuto - a theoretical Sage assumed to exist due to Ocarina of Time ' s system of naming its Sages after towns from The Adventure of Link.

Trivia
Owls are a common theme throughout the The Legend of Zelda, usually, indeed, in relation to the gaining of knowledge. If and how there is a connection with Kaepora Gaebora is largely unknown.
 * In Link's Awakening, there is an owl character who guides Link with words of wisdom. Since both Kaepora Gaebora and this owl are owls who give Link directions, it is possible that the owl from Link's Awakening may have inspired the later Kaepora Gaebora. From an in-universe perspective, it is possible that the two's likeness is to be explained the other way around. Since all characters from Koholint are a product of either Link's or the Wind Fish's minds, in some cases obviously inspired by someone they know, possibly the memory of Kaepora Gaebora created the owl.
 * Eldin, the Light Spirit of the Eldin Province in Twilight Princess, is also an owl or perhaps another kind of a large bird.
 * Owl Statues appear in Link's Awakening, even moreso in its DX version, as well as Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons and Twilight Princess. They serve to hand out information and hints on nearby challenges.