The experience of hearing a deep, resonant hoot at night often suggests an owl is nearby. While this is frequently correct, many non-owl birds produce vocalizations that mimic the classic “who-who” or the calls of smaller owl species, confusing listeners. These auditory decoys can fool even seasoned birders when poor visibility prevents visual confirmation. Accurate identification requires understanding the subtle differences in tone, rhythm, and context between a true owl call and that of an imposter. Distinguishing these sounds means analyzing the specific acoustic signatures and environmental factors, moving beyond the simple “hoot.”
The Common Imposters: Birds Mistaken for Owl Hoots
The most frequent imposter for a daytime owl call is the Mourning Dove, whose gentle, mournful cooing is often misinterpreted as a small owl’s territorial declaration. The dove’s characteristic call is a soft cooOOoo-wooooo-woo-woo. This sound is lighter and more airy compared to the deeper, more guttural quality of a true owl hoot. Unlike the sharp, organized rhythm of a Great Horned Owl’s hoot, the dove’s vocalization is softer and usually ends on a descending, drawn-out note.
Another imposter is the American Bittern, a large wading bird that produces a low-frequency, booming sound that carries long distances across wetlands, often around dusk or dawn. This call is highly resonant and has been described as a three-syllable, mechanical pump-er-lunk, created by the bird inflating its esophagus. This deep, foghorn-like sound is similar to the lowest hoots of large owls, but its location, specifically coming from a dense marsh or reedy habitat, provides an immediate clue against a forest-dwelling owl.
The Band-tailed Pigeon, a larger relative of the common city pigeon, also contributes to the confusion, particularly in western regions. Its vocalization is a low, deep coo that can be mistaken for the strong, low hoots of a Great Horned Owl. However, the pigeon’s sound often lacks the measured cadence and distinct, multi-note pattern that characterizes the territorial hoots of most larger owl species. Focus on the consistent, structured quality of a true owl’s call versus the softer, less-defined pattern of a pigeon or dove.
Differentiating Trills, Coos, and Screams
Smaller owls rely on diverse vocalizations like trills, whinnies, and mechanical notes that are easily confused with the calls of other nocturnal birds. The Eastern Screech-Owl is best known for its descending whinny, which sounds like a tremulous wail, or its monotonous trill, a rapid series of notes on a single pitch. This pure, sustained whistle is distinct from the calls of Nightjars, which are common nocturnal mimics.
Nightjars, such as the Whip-poor-will or Chuck-will’s-widow, produce a continuous, repetitive song that can be mistaken for an owl’s organized rhythm. However, the Nightjar’s call has a mechanical, churring quality—a sustained, insect-like sound produced at a rapid, steady rate. Unlike the owl’s purer, whistled trill, the Nightjar’s vocalization is a continuous, vibratory buzz that lacks distinct, separate notes.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl issues an insistent, repetitive toot-toot-toot that sounds like a mechanical whistle given at about two notes per second. This monotonous, high-pitched repetition is sometimes confused with the winnowing sound produced by a Wilson’s Snipe during its aerial courtship display. The Saw-whet’s call is vocal, but the snipe’s sound is non-vocal, created by air vibrating its tail feathers during a steep dive, a distinction that clarifies the source of the noise.
Using Context and Location to Confirm Identification
A bird’s location and the time of year provide strong evidence to confirm or deny an owl identification. Many persuasive mimics, such as the American Bittern and Nightjars, are seasonal visitors to temperate regions. Since they are typically present only during warmer months, a similar sound heard in deep winter is far more likely to be a year-round resident owl.
The specific habitat is another important factor, as birds are strongly tied to their environment. A deep, booming sound from a dense freshwater marsh or cattail stand indicates an American Bittern. Conversely, the classic hoot of a Barred Owl or the whinny of a Screech Owl originates from wooded areas, forest canopies, or suburban trees. If a supposed owl call is heard from a low, open field or a wet, reedy area, the source is likely an imposter.
The exact time the sound is heard can narrow down the possibilities. Owls are generally nocturnal but are most vocal during the crepuscular periods of dusk and dawn. If a “hoot” is heard consistently throughout the middle of the day, especially in an urban or suburban setting, the diurnal Mourning Dove is the most probable source. When a nocturnal sound is heard, observing the flight pattern can help; owls do not replicate the Nightjar’s wing-clapping or the Nighthawk’s distinctive aerial dive sounds.