Squirrel: Knock knock!

Chipmunk: Who’s there?

Squirrel: Who!

Chipmunk: Who who?

Squirrel: Hey! Are you an owl?

Alright, so that’s an old joke that the squirrel played on the chipmunk, but we still find it amusing. And it serves as a perfect introduction to today’s Wonder of the Day about owls and the unique sounds they produce.

If you have ever heard an owl hoot, chances are it was during the nighttime. Why? Owls are creatures of the night. This means they are active when the sun goes down and sleep during the day. However, not all owls hoot and, among those that do, hoots are not the only sounds they make.

Aside from hoots, owls may also chirp, whistle, scream, screech, bark, growl, or shriek. Scientists refer to these various sounds as vocalizations. Why do owls have such a wide range of vocalizations? Most owls make these sounds in order to communicate. And there are as many messages as there are different types of calls!

The specific message conveyed by a particular sound often differs between different types of owls. Most owl vocalizations are loud and have a low pitch, which helps the sounds travel long distances through the night sky.

For example, the easily-recognizable hoot that you are familiar with is usually a territorial call. Heard for miles around, hoots assert a claim to a specific territory and serve as a warning to other owls to stay away. The “hoo-hoo-hooooo” sound that is often associated with owls belongs to the great-horned owl.

In addition to hoots, owls may also screech or shriek from time to time. Some owls emit a loud shriek when they feel threatened or are attacking a predator. At other times, loud screeches may be used during mating season to attract a mate. Some people believe that these loud screeches sound just like a human woman screaming.

When an owl feels scared or threatened, it may also produce short, low barking sounds. If you hear an owl barking, it is probably trying to scare off whatever is frightening or threatening it. Other owls growl in order to deter predators. Of course, those barks might turn into shrieks if the threat persists.

Another common sound heard in the middle of the night is the shriek of baby owls. When owls awaken at night, the parents often go out to hunt for food. The owlets left behind might shriek to communicate the fact that they are hungry. Of course, they might also simply be lonely and want their parents to return.

Either way, their shrieks are sure to reach their parents’ ears, prompting them to quickly return to the nest. Owls known to shriek as infants include common barn owls, common scops owls, and common sooty owls.

Try It Out

WHO enjoyed today’s Wonder of the Day? We hope YOU did! Learn even more about owls when you check out the following activities with a friend or family member:

Interesting Owl Sounds

• Barn owls have a unique way of communicating. Instead of the typical hooting sound, they use loud screams. If you want to listen to these fascinating vocalizations, you can visit the Barn Owl Calls page online. What are your thoughts? Would you be scared if you heard a barn owl’s call in the middle of the night in the woods?
• Have you ever heard owl calls in your area? If so, have you ever taken the time to identify the specific owl species responsible for these distinct sounds? You can visit Listen to Owls online to listen to the calls of different owls, such as barred owls, great-horned owls, northern saw-whet owls, and eastern screech owls.
• While it’s common knowledge that great-horned owls hoot, not many people are aware that they produce a wide range of other sounds as well. If you’re interested in learning more about the various vocalizations of great-horned owls, including chitters, squawks, and hisses, you can visit the Vocalizations page of the International Owl Center.

FAQ

1. Why do owls hoot?

Owls hoot primarily to communicate with other owls. Each owl has a unique hooting pattern that acts as a way to identify itself to other owls and establish its territory. The hooting also serves as a way for owls to attract a mate during the breeding season. Additionally, owls hoot to warn other animals or potential threats to stay away from their territory. It is important to note that not all owls hoot; some species use different vocalizations such as screeches or whistles.

2. What does the hooting sound of an owl mean?

The hooting sound of an owl can have different meanings depending on the context. In general, it serves as a way for owls to communicate with each other and establish their presence. The hoots can indicate territorial boundaries, as well as attract a mate during the breeding season. Owls may also hoot to communicate danger or to warn other animals to stay away. The specific hooting pattern and frequency may vary between owl species and individuals.

3. How do owls make the hooting sound?

Owls produce the hooting sound by manipulating their vocal organs. They have a specialized structure called the syrinx located at the base of their trachea. By controlling the airflow and muscular vibrations in the syrinx, owls can create different hooting sounds. The syrinx allows them to produce low-frequency sounds and hoots that carry over long distances. Each owl species has a unique syrinx structure, contributing to the distinct hooting patterns and sounds they produce.

4. Do all owls hoot?

No, not all owls hoot. While hooting is a common vocalization among many owl species, some owls use different sounds to communicate. For example, the barn owl produces a screeching sound, while the eastern screech owl uses a trill or whinny sound. Additionally, some owl species are known for their silence, using visual cues and body language instead of vocalizations to communicate with other owls or animals.

5. Can humans imitate owl hooting?

Yes, humans can imitate owl hooting to a certain extent. By using techniques such as cupping the hands around the mouth or using various objects to create a resonating effect, people can produce owl-like hooting sounds. However, it is important to note that imitating owl hooting should be done responsibly and without causing distress to the owls. Excessive or inappropriate imitation can disrupt their natural behavior and communication. It is best to enjoy and appreciate the unique hooting sounds of owls in their natural habitats.