The quiet of night often carries an array of sounds. While a deep hoot or piercing shriek can instantly bring to mind an owl, not every such sound originates from these feathered predators. Many other creatures produce vocalizations that, to the untrained ear, bear a striking resemblance to owl sounds, leading to frequent misidentification.
The Diverse Sounds of True Owls
Owls possess a broad repertoire of vocalizations, far beyond the stereotypical “hoo-hoo.” Great Horned Owls are known for their deep, rhythmic hoots, often described as “hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo,” with males having a lower pitch than females. These hoots serve to advertise territory and communicate between mates. Beyond hooting, they also produce barks, shrieks, hisses, and coos.
Barred Owls are recognized for their distinctive eight or nine-note call, commonly interpreted as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” Barn Owls do not typically hoot; instead, they emit a long, harsh, raspy scream or shriek. They also produce purring sounds for courtship and sharp hisses. Eastern Screech-Owls contribute to the night’s chorus with a descending, horse-like whinny and a monotonic trill. Each owl species has evolved unique vocalizations for specific purposes, including territorial defense, attracting mates, and communicating with their young.
Common Soundalikes in the Night
Several other animals create sounds often mistaken for owls. The most common imitator of the classic hoot is the Mourning Dove, whose soft, mournful cooing of “hoo-hoo-hoo” is frequently confused with an owl’s call due to a similar cadence. Another bird heard at night is the Northern Mockingbird, an accomplished mimic capable of imitating a wide range of sounds, including those of other birds and even frogs.
Certain mammals also contribute to the nocturnal soundscape. Raccoons can produce startlingly human-like screams. Red foxes are known for their eerie, high-pitched screams, sometimes described as sounding like a woman screaming. The Tawny Frogmouth, a nocturnal bird native to Australia, is often mistaken for an owl due to its appearance and habits, though its vocalizations are low, continuous “oom-oom-oom” sounds, not hoots or screeches.
Decoding the Differences
Distinguishing between genuine owl calls and sounds made by other animals involves careful attention to specific auditory characteristics. The rhythm, pitch, timber, duration, and volume of a sound offer important clues. For instance, while a Mourning Dove’s coo can sound like a soft hoot, it typically lacks the distinct multi-note patterns or varying inflections present in many owl hoots, such as the Great Horned Owl’s characteristic rhythmic sequence or the Barred Owl’s “Who cooks for you?” phrase. Owl vocalizations often have a resonant quality, reflecting their specialized vocal organs.
The pitch of calls can also be a differentiating factor, as female owls often have higher-pitched calls than their male counterparts. In contrast, mammal screams, while loud and startling, usually lack the structured melodic or rhythmic patterns found in bird calls. Furthermore, owls possess asymmetrical ear openings, with one ear positioned higher than the other, which enables them to pinpoint the exact location of a sound source with remarkable accuracy. This anatomical adaptation contributes to the specific acoustic properties of their calls.
When and Where to Listen
The context of when and where a sound is heard can significantly narrow down its potential source. Most owl species are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active and vocal during the night, especially from dusk until dawn. Hearing a hoot during broad daylight makes it less likely to be an owl and more likely to be a diurnal bird like a Mourning Dove. However, some owl species, such as the Barred Owl, are known to vocalize during the day, particularly during their breeding season.
Habitat plays a substantial role in identifying the sound maker. Owls typically inhabit diverse environments, including dense forests, open woodlands, and even suburban areas with mature trees. Conversely, animals like raccoons and foxes might be found in a wider range of habitats, including urban fringes and agricultural lands. Seasonal patterns also influence vocal activity; many animals, including owls, increase their vocalizations during breeding seasons to attract mates and establish territories. Environmental conditions, such as humidity and vegetation density, affect how sound travels, influencing the clarity and reach of calls in different settings.