Owls, like hawks, can be used for long-distance communication. Motoi is able to summon owls so that he can quickly relay messages from the Island Turtle to Kumogakure.

Trivia

• The owl summoned by Motoi has whisker-marks like Naruto's and markings on its stomach.
• In the anime, the ninja monks from the Fire Temple use owls as messenger birds.^[1]

References

1. ↑ Naruto: Shippūden episode 60