Hearing a bird call at night or during twilight often leads to wondering if an owl is nearby. Many birds produce sounds reminiscent of an owl’s distinctive hooting, making it challenging for an untrained ear to differentiate. This article explores which birds commonly cause this confusion, the underlying reasons for auditory similarities, and practical ways to distinguish these calls from actual owls.
Common Birds with Owl-Like Calls
Several bird species are known for calls that can easily be confused with those of owls, particularly due to their low pitch or nocturnal activity. The Mourning Dove, a common backyard bird, produces a soft, mournful “coo-ah, coo-coo-coo” or “coo-OO-coo-coo-coo” that is often mistaken for a distant owl, especially its drawn-out, low sound. Similarly, the Eurasian Collared-Dove, an introduced species, has a persistent three-note “koo-KOO-kook” call that can sound like an owl’s rhythmic hooting.
The American Bittern, a secretive marsh bird, emits a deep, resonant, and booming call often described as “pump-er-lunk” or “oong-ka-choonk.” This low-frequency sound carries well over long distances and can be particularly confusing when heard at dawn or dusk, times when owls are also active. Another bird that can cause confusion is the Common Nighthawk, which is crepuscular. While its primary vocalization is a sharp, nasal “peent” call, males also produce a distinct “booming” sound created by air rushing through their wing feathers during courtship dives, which might be mistaken for an owl’s presence. True owls, like the Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl, use distinct hoots for communication, territory defense, and attracting mates.
Reasons for Auditory Similarity
The primary reasons certain bird calls are confused with owl hoots stem from shared acoustic properties and behavioral patterns. Many birds that sound like owls produce vocalizations with low frequencies and deep, resonant tones, similar to owl hoots.
These low-frequency sounds travel effectively over long distances and through dense environments, such as forests or marshes, without significant degradation. This ability of sound to carry far contributes to the perception that a call might be coming from a large, powerful bird.
The repetitive or rhythmic nature of some bird calls further enhances their resemblance to owl hoots. For instance, the consistent cooing of doves can mimic an owl’s steady cadence.
The timing of activity also plays a role; some mimicking birds, such as the American Bittern and Common Nighthawk, are active during twilight or nocturnal hours, which overlaps with the periods when owls are most vocal. This temporal overlap increases the likelihood of misidentification, as listeners associate nighttime calls with owls.
Key Differences in Bird Calls
Despite the auditory similarities, discerning between the calls of true owls and those of mimicking birds is possible by focusing on specific acoustic and contextual details. While a low pitch might be shared, the exact rhythm, number of notes, and cadence of calls are unique to each species.
For example, the Mourning Dove’s “coo-ah, coo-coo-coo” is generally more drawn-out and mournful compared to an owl’s typically shorter, more forceful hoots. The Eurasian Collared-Dove’s “koo-KOO-kook” is also distinct in its three-note pattern, differing from complex owl hooting sequences.
The timbre and overall quality of the sound also provide important clues. Owls often possess a distinctive, resonant, and sometimes hollow quality to their hoots, which can be distinguished from the more mournful coos of doves or the pumping sound of a bittern.
Context and habitat offer additional indicators; American Bitterns, for example, are typically found in wetlands, whereas doves are common in suburban areas. The time of day can also be helpful, as some “mimics” are crepuscular rather than strictly nocturnal. Ultimately, if circumstances allow for safe and ethical observation, visually confirming the bird’s identity remains the most definitive way to resolve any auditory confusion.