"Would I be much of a witch if I couldn't?" Sure, maybe she shouldn't, but back home it was a pretty basic life skill. On the other hand, she has no idea what's normal for magic users where Caitlyn is from.

There's a small flash of light as the owl becomes the top of a wooden staff, and then opens solid yellow eyes. She turns the staff parallel to the ground and the owl opens its wings. When she takes her hand off it, it doesn't fall. After a second, she hops onto the staff side saddle before pausing to make sure it's holding her weight for the moment.