梟
キョウ, ふくろう

owl, expose

JLPT0 G13 S0 F5000

An abbreviated form# of 鳥 bird + 木 tree/wood → *owl* (the corpses of which were in ancient China hung on trees to keep sparrows and other birds away) → *expose* (a criminal's severed head); (executed criminal's) *exposed head*. Also, *ferocious* (← owl as predator). For the idea of (exposing) a severed head, compare 県 and 領.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]