The Distinctive Calls of Owls: A Sampler

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Published 2013-11-26

Most owls are nocturnal, and they use their voices to establish territories and attract mates in the dark. Several species begin nesting during as early as midwinter, which is one reason why you can often hear them in fall and winter, when most other birds are quiet.

For more owl sounds, check out Voices of North American Owls, macaulaylibrary.org/guide/voices-of-north-american… available through our Macaulay Library. This comprehensive audio guide is highly sought after and no longer available on CD. The digital download includes nearly 200 audio recordings of North America's 19 regularly occurring owl species, plus two rarities. The accompanying 28-page booklet contains detailed text and color photographs about each of the owls featured in the audio download.

Take our self-paced, online course to get expert tips and strategies: How to Identify Bird Songs
( academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/be-a-better-bird… )

Produced by Karen Rodriguez
Photos by Gerrit Vyn

#BringBirdsBack #birds #birdwatching #owls #nature #owlcalls #barredowl

All Comments (21)

@slendersera 3 years ago

I'm trying to identify the owl that's currently having the time of its life outside my window. It's 1am and my search continues. 3yrs later update: It was a barred owl. There are apparently several in my neighborhood. Every now and then, they scare the crap out of me. But recently there's been a new noise. It's a horrible shriek, but I haven't looked that one up yet.
@Owldude000 7 years ago

So the barn owls screech and the screech owls don't
@jessicanelson3492 3 years ago

I have listened to so many of these samples that I have now forgotten what the owl outside sounds like. It's like a police line up on a detective show. Every one seems to be the right one.
@jenovabathory 3 years ago

The barred owl sounds like it's imitating a horse.
@zenith8417 8 years ago

Came to this video expecting "hoo's" Was greeted with "EEEEEEEEEEEKCH!"
@megasuperawesomestar 9 years ago

They're all so majestic and the barn owl is just like "EEEEE!"
@jazz-4255 3 years ago

Here because I’m trying to describe the sound of an owl in my English creative piece. I know what to write now- EEEEEEEEEEE
@1118saori 2 years ago

I had never heard the voice of an owl in Japan. I felt really magical. beautiful! すばらしい🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉
@lokes3667 8 years ago

Me: "Oh cool, owl noises!" Owls: VELOCIRAPTOR SCREECHING
@CognitiveSlug 4 years ago

I tell you what, walking in the woods at night and suddenly hearing a group of barred owls all go off at once is absolutely terrifying for a moment.
@DarakuBara 3 years ago

WHO THE HELL CAME UP WITH “hoo” or “hoot” FOR AN OWL!? NONE OF THESE SOUND EVEN CLOSE!!!!!
@ROCKNROLLFAN 9 months ago

Those calls used to wake me up in the middle of the night at my favorite Grandma's house a couple of years ago. She went Home to Glory 3 years ago and I miss her every day.
@mrslasher1064 4 years ago

What I was expecting: hoo,hoo What I got: REEEEEEEE
@michaelk9907 7 years ago

That barred owl looks like it knows something I don't.
@NatureWitch 3 years ago

Imagine hearing these in the middle of the night in the woods not knowing what a owl is 🤣
@veddopanji2582 3 years ago

Left this for my project 00:09 Barn Owl 00:25 Eastern Screech Owl 00:46 Western Screech Owl 01:02 Barred Owl
@SkyHigh87 7 years ago

I never thought an owl could sound like a horse.
@RonanNotRyan 4 years ago

Screech Owls: *Sci-fi owl noises* Barred Owl: *An actual dog* Barn Owl: RRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE
@Nudiescorner 3 years ago

Had an Eastern Screech Owl in my backyard the other day.....the minute he swooped in ALL the birds became silent....it was SOMETHING !!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@mogshade66 3 years ago

That was awesome. I can see now, very clearly, if you do not live in a place where you do not have wildlife about, as an everyday life experience, you are going to be so freaked out by these sounds. Some of these birds sound ethereal. Owls in my country only Hoot. Lovely video. Thank you. 🌿