Owls produce a variety of vocalizations used for communicating with other owls. The most familiar owl sound is their haunting, wavering hoo call. However, the sounds owls make can vary by species, and can include screeches, whistles, screams, barks, hisses, and more.
Common owl calls
Here are some of the most common sounds made by different owl species:
- The classic “hoo-hoo-hoo” call – This wavering, mournful hooting is made by most owl species as part of their territorial call. It is used to identify territory boundaries and attract mates.
- Screeching – A loud, piercing “kee-yeek” screech is made by small owl species like the Eastern and Western screech owls. It is used to communicate over long distances.
- Whistling – Some owls like the Great Horned Owl make a low, soft whistling sound “woo-woo-woo” during courtship. It is used to attract potential mates.
- Barking – Smaller owl species like Northern saw-whet owls make a barking “pook” call during mating season. It is thought to be a territorial call.
- Chittering – Barn owls and other species make a hissing “ssssk, sssk, sssk” or chittering sound when defending their nests or signaling alarm.
- Screaming – Larger owls like eagle owls and great gray owls emit loud, ringing screams that can carry over a mile. These blood-curdling screams signal alarm or aggression.
Why do owls make these sounds?
Like other bird species, owls vocalize for a variety of reasons. Their calls serve important purposes in communication, including:
- Attracting mates – Many owl calls are used to locate potential mates during breeding season. The male’s hooting helps the female identify him and his territory.
- Defending territory – Loud hoots and screams define an owl’s territory and warn intruders away.
- Communicating with mates/young – Softer murmuring calls and whispers are used between mates and parent owls/young to maintain contact.
- Signaling alarm/aggression – Alarm calls and screams signal danger or aggression towards intruders.
- Begging calls – Hungry owlet nestlings make begging calls that sound like pleading chirps or squeaks to summon their parents.
Being nocturnal hunters, vocal communication is very important for owls. Even though they nest in dark cavities and forests, owls can locate mates, defend territories, and stay in contact using their varied vocalizations that are well-suited to nighttime conditions.
Characteristics of owl vocalizations
Owls have specialized feathers and soft fringes around their beaks that muffle sound and allow them to fly and vocally communicate almost silently. This gives them an advantage when hunting. Some key features of owl vocalizations include:
- Adaptations for night hunting – Owls can communicate without making too much noise that would startle prey in their nocturnal environment.
- Low frequencies – Most owl calls are low-pitched hoots or deep booming notes that carry well over long distances.
- Rhythmic pulses – Hoots and screeches feature wavering, pulsing notes that give an eerie, instantly recognizable quality.
- Species variations – Calls are specific to each species. For example, the Great Horned Owl makes a distinctive 5-note “hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo” call.
- Gender differences – Females often have higher-pitched, more nasal calls then the males.
- Alarm/aggression cues – Alarm calls tend to be louder, faster, and more urgent-sounding.
Functions of different owl sounds
Here is more detail on some of the specific reasons owls vocalize and the meaning behind their different calls:
Territorial calls
The male hoots to claim its territory and ward off other males. It also helps the female identify the male and his territory when choosing a mate.
Courtship calls
Softer hoots, barks, and whistles are used by male owls to attract females during breeding season. The female may also vocalize to signal her location to the displaying male.
Contact calls
Mates and parents/young make intimate murmurs, choosy chirps and quiet whispers to maintain contact, especially during the nesting period.
Alarm/aggression calls
Loud, urgent screeches, screams, and barking are used to signal danger or aggression towards intruders near the nest. Alarm calls communicate a threat.
Begging calls
Hungry, growing owlets emit constant pleading chirps and squeaks to demand food from the parents.
Pair bonding
In addition to helping define territories and attracting mates, the male’s hooting helps pair bonded owls identify each other if separated.
Comparison of calls by owl species
Here is an overview of the typical vocalizations produced by some common owl species:
| Owl Species | Typical Call Description |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | Low, reverberating hoots: “hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo” |
| Barred Owl | Rhythmic hoots: “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all” |
| Barn Owl | Harsh screams and shreeks |
| Eastern Screech Owl | Whinnying cry: “kee-yak”, resembles a horse |
| Great Gray Owl | Deep booming hoots, piercing alarm screams |
| Northern Saw-Whet Owl | High-pitched toots and whistles |
| Burrowing Owl | Raspy barking, kiss-like whistles |
| Snowy Owl | Menacing screeches, hisses, barking |
As seen, hoots, shrieks, whistles, barks, and screeches are all common owl sounds. The specific vocalization patterns give each species a unique “voice” suited to their biology and habitat.
Other owl communication sounds
While vocalizations form the main way owls communicate, they can also produce other sounds to interact:
- Bill snapping – Owls snap their bills to threaten predators or rivals.
- Wing clapping – Snapping wings together makes a clapping sound to intimidate opponents.
- Non-vocal sounds – Hissing, spitting, and biting all communicate aggression in close encounters.
So while haunting hoots may be their signature, owls have an entire repertoire of sounds they use to connect with mates, defend territories, protect young, and survive the night.
How to identify owls by their calls
It takes patience and practice, but you can identify species of owls by learning their unique vocalization patterns. Here are some tips:
- Note the number of hoots or notes, rhythm, pitch, and quality of the call.
- Compare it against audio recordings or visual descriptions for known species in your area.
- Remember time of year – some owls only vocalize during their breeding season.
- Pay attention to call variations by gender (males typically have lower hoots).
- Notice call context – territorial vs. contact calls can sound distinct.
- Screams indicate larger owl species like eagle owls or great gray owls.
- Shrill, whistling notes may signal a small owl like a saw-whet.
With keen listening skills and patience, you can learn to pinpoint the owl species by their vocal fingerprints. However, some species have very similar calls making positive identification tricky for beginners. Using other clues like location, time of day, behavior, and visual appearance can help confirm the species.
Mimicking owl calls to elicit responses
Birders and ornithologists sometimes use owl call playback to elicit responses from real owls. This involves playing a recording of an owl’s territorial hooting to trigger the live owl to defend its territory by calling back. Here are some tips for proper owl call mimicry:
- Only use call playback during mating season from February to July when owls are most vocal.
- Limit the playing time to less than 30 seconds, don’t overstimulate the owl.
- Allow at least 10 minutes between playbacks to avoid excess stress.
- Never use playback on known nesting sites or nearby fledglings.
- Have proper owl species recordings suitable for your location.
- Note and respect responses – aggression means stop.
- Obey regulations, some areas prohibit playback use.
When used ethically, mimicry can help observers detect and identify secretive owl species. However, the welfare of the owls should always come first. Caution and limited, careful use of call playback is best.
Conclusion
From deep booming hoots to frightening screams, the sounds of owls have long inspired mystery and fascination. More than just eerie noise, owl vocalizations are complex communication signals key to their daily survival and reproduction. Each species utilizes unique call patterns to find mates, defend territories, protect young and more. Understanding the language of these nocturnal raptors takes dedicated listening, but allows you to identify rarely-seen owls and interpret their secret world.
