15 Most Vocal Owls That Hoot (With Audio) | Radar Bromo

Owls are a fascinating group of birds known for their unique hooting calls. These nocturnal hunters recovered successful a assortment of habitats will usage specified vocalization to communicate. 

There are 19 type of owls successful North America; 7 of them are known to hoot. If you unrecorded successful Europe, Asia, Africa, aliases Australia, don’t worry, we will besides mention hooting owls from your continent.

From nan majestic Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls to nan mini Flammulated Owls, these raptors will stun you pinch their hooting vocabularies.

Owls That Hoot

1. Great Horned Owl

Image Credit: Canva.

• Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus 
• Length: 17-25 in 
• Wingspan: 35-60 in 
• Weight: 2.7-3.5 lb 

With a wingspan of almost 5 feet, magnitude of almost 2 feet, and weight of up to 3.5 pounds, awesome horned owls are among nan largest owls recovered passim North America. 

These fierce raptors person gray-brown plumage pinch a mottled pattern, agelong earlike tufts, and enormous and intimidating agleam yellowish eyes. Typically well-camouflaged, awesome horned owls are ne'er easy to spot successful nan chaotic and tin beryllium alternatively much easy recognized by their hoots.

Great horned owls will often make low-pitched and large hoots consisting of 4-5 syllables that sound for illustration “ho-ho-hoo-hoo-hoo“. These owls hoot to pass intruders from entering their territories aliases to alert different owls that there’s a predator close. Occasionally, a mated brace mightiness usage a duet of hooting to communicate, pinch females having a higher transportation than males. 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Bubo_virginianus_-_Great_Horned_Owl_XC156403.mp3

Great Horned Owl Call| Source: Bushman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Generally speaking, awesome horned owls will hoot little often astir February aliases March, astatine nan commencement of their egg-laying season. Adult owls will besides make different sounds, including whistles, barks, hisses, coos, screeches, etc.

2. Barred Owl

Image Credit: PIxabay.

• Scientific Name: Strix varia
• Length: 16-25 in
• Wingspan: 38-49 in
• Weight: 1.3-2.5 lb

Known nether respective names specified arsenic bluish barred owls and striped owls, barred owls are autochthonal to eastbound North America. They are communal astir woods and swamps wherever they hunt for insects, mini mammals, crayfish, and crabs. 

These ample birds pinch mottled brownish and achromatic plumage tin beryllium identified by their yellowish beaks, absence of receptor tufts, and ample and acheronian brown, almost achromatic eyes.

Barred owls are astir known for their unique hooting telephone that consists of 8–9 notes and sounds for illustration “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all”. These powerful calls tin beryllium heard almost half a mile distant and person earned them nan nickname “Old Eight-Hooters“.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Strix_varia_-_Northern_Barred_Owl_XC375201.mp3

Barred Owl Call | Source: Matthias Sirch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

As portion of their mating ritual, pairs will often make a duet of hoots, cackles, caws, and gurgles.  After they found nests, barred owls go very territorial and fierce – they will pursuit distant intruders by hooting aggressively aliases attacking them pinch their crisp talons!

Fun Fact: Barred owls are besides known arsenic hoot owls!

3. Great Gray Owl 

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Strix nebulosa
• Length: 24-33 in 
• Wingspan: 56-60 in
• Weight: 1.2-4 lb

Great grey owls are nan largest type of owls successful nan world by length. They measurement from 24 to 33 inches and are known nether respective names, including Phantoms of nan North, bearded owls, sooty owls, etc.

Patterned pinch brownish and achromatic mottling, streaks, and barrings, awesome grey owls blend perfectly pinch nan gray-brown bark of their conifer perch. They besides person ample yellowish eyes connected their ample information heads. 

These owls are highly secretive and difficult to find and birders often see it a immense accomplishment to get a confirmed sighting. They inhabit Europe, Asia, and North America.

Great grey owls are astir vocal during nan breeding play pinch pairs making a low-pitched bid of “hoos” that past betwixt 6 and 8 seconds and person a 30-second region betwixt nan calls. They will besides make soft double hoots erstwhile protecting their territories aliases erstwhile humans provender them; females person higher-pitched voices than males. 

Great Gray Owl Call

Great grey owls hoot and hunt astatine nighttime aliases astir dusk and dawn, mostly catching voles. 

4. Snowy Owl

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Bubo scandiacus
• Length: 21-28 in 
• Wingspan: 45.7-72 in
• Weight: 2.9-6.5 lb

Snowy owls are enormous achromatic birds of prey. They are nan heaviest owls successful North America and person a longer wingspan than immoderate different owl recovered there. 

Because of nan acold upwind successful nan Arctic regions they inhabit, snowy owls request bully insulation; moreover their feet are covered pinch feathers! They are nan only achromatic owls successful nan world and males thin to beryllium whiter than females; some person immoderate achromatic aliases brownish markings connected nan assemblage and wings and yellowish eyes. 

They are very vocal birds pinch complete 15 different calls they mostly make from a perch; occasionally successful flight.

Snowy owls hoot during nan time and make low, powerful, and somewhat rasping hoots consisting of 2-6 notes fixed successful a row. They tin beryllium heard for miles and do that to pass pinch different owls aliases to take sides their territories aliases themselves. 

Snowy Owl Call

Their favourite nutrient is lemmings (small mouselike rodents) – they mightiness hunt arsenic overmuch arsenic 1,600 of those per year. 

5. Spotted Owl 

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Strix occidentalis
• Length: 17 in
• Wingspan: 45 in 
• Weight: 1.3 lb

Spotted owls are type of existent owls. True owls aliases emblematic owls beryllium to nan Strigidae family and are 1 of nan 2 mostly accepted owl families, together pinch barn owls.

These nocturnal birds are recovered successful occidental parts of North America. There are 3 subspecies:

• Northern spotted owl (S. o. caurina) 
• Mexican spotted owl (S. o. lucida)  
• California spotted owl (S. o. occidentalis)

They for illustration nan coolest parts of nan forest, nesting successful cliffs astatine elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Identify spotted owls by their chestnut brownish plumage pinch achromatic and brownish spots, achromatic bands connected nan tails, and dark eyes.

Spotted owls are vocal type that tin beryllium astir often heard astatine sunset, early evening, predawn, and dawn. 

Out of 13 different hoots, barks, and whistles, their astir celebrated telephone consists of a bid of 4 heavy hoots pinch nan mediate 2 notes closest together. Females person higher voices than males and some sexes make nan calls to take sides their territory. 

Spotted Owl Call

Due to residence nonaccomplishment and title pinch different owls, their organization has been connected nan diminution – nan International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed spotted owls arsenic Near Threatened species.

They are conscionable 1 of nan 19 nighttime birds recovered successful Texas; publication much astir nan different type here.

6. Flammulated Owl

Flammulated Owl | Source: Wikimedia Commons

• Scientific Name: Psiloscops flammeolus
• Length: 6 in 
• Wingspan: 14 in
• Weight: 1.8-2.3 oz

Flammulated owls are unsocial among mini owls owed to their wholly acheronian eyes and debased hoots.

These mini reddish birds are conscionable 6 inches agelong and span astir 14 inches crossed nan wings – specified ample wings let them to quickly move from 1 character to nan other. Females are longer and bigger than males – nan type were named aft nan flame-like markings connected their faces. 

Because of nan agelong trachea (windpipe), flammulated owls make low-pitched azygous aliases double hoots that sound for illustration overmuch larger owls made them. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes their repeated hoots arsenic “ventriloquial” since it is almost intolerable to find nan vertebrate from nan sound. 

Flammulated Owl Call

Flammulated owls are migratory birds recovered successful occidental parts of nan USA, confederate parts of British Columbia, cardinal Mexico, and Central America (during winter). Strictly nocturnal, they almost wholly provender connected insects and immoderate shrews, and different rodents. 

7. Long-eared Owl

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Asio otus 
• Length: 12-16 in
• Wingspan: 34-40 in
• Weight: 9-15 oz

Long-eared owls are recovered passim astir of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Also known arsenic bluish long-eared owls, lesser horned owls, aliases feline owls, these medium-sized owls pinch agelong receptor tufts and large eyes inhabit brushy thickets, conifer groves, and semi-open areas. North American long-eared owls person yellowish eyes, while their Eurasian counterparts person reddish ones. 

Although silent astir of nan year, antheral long-eared owls tin beryllium highly vocal successful their breeding play and emit hoots that tin beryllium heard from complete half a mile distant during nan night.

People picture their hoots arsenic nan sound of blowing aerial complete a very ample bottle; antheral long-eared owls will make a bid of 10-200 “whoo” notes fixed each 2-4 seconds. The type will besides make whistles, whines, shrieks, and cat-like meows.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Asio_otus_-_Long-eared_Owl_XC108293.mp3

Long-eared Owl Call | Source: Alexander Kurthy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

They are besides 1 of nan only 12 owl type that unrecorded successful Japan.

8. Tawny Owl

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Strix aluco
• Length: 15-18 in
• Wingspan: 32-41 in
• Weight: 0.8-1.7 lb

Tawny owls are besides known arsenic brownish owls and tin beryllium recovered successful Europe and Asia. These stocky raptors pinch rounded heads, nary receptor tufts, and acheronian facial disks travel successful 2 colors: 1 is rufous-brown and nan different is grayish-brown. 

They are very territorial type and erstwhile young birds time off nan nests, if they can’t find a territory to declare of their own, they will often dice of starvation. 

Tawny owls are nocturnal birds of prey that usage hoots arsenic their main measurement of communication. A study from 2020 discovered that they mostly hoot during nan night, from 5 PM to 6 AM. Males usually make specified calls to take sides their territory.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Tawny_Owl_%28Strix_aluco%29.ogg

Tawny Owl Call | Source: Chris Taklis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Due to their activity astatine nighttime and haunting “hooo” calls, group see them to beryllium an omen of bad luck.

9. Australian Boobook

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Ninox boobook 
• Length: 10.5-14 in 
• Wingspan: 28-33.5 in
• Weight: 5.1-12.7 oz

Australian boobooks are besides known arsenic mopokes. These brownish owls pinch acheronian “glasses” astir their eyes are nan smallest owls successful Australia. 

They inhabit different areas, ranging from forests and unfastened woodlands to scrublands and semidesert areas.

Australian boobooks person mostly dark-brown plumage pinch ray spots and grey-green aliases green-yellow eyes. Although mostly nocturnal, Australian boobooks tin beryllium sometimes spotted astir dusk aliases dawn, hunting mice, insects, and mini birds. 

You are much apt to perceive them, arsenic their powerful calls tin beryllium heard much than half a mile away. 

Australian boobooks will make two-note hoot calls pinch nan first statement higher successful transportation than nan second. They hoot from sunset to dawn to pull females, erstwhile they bring nutrient to their mates, aliases arsenic interaction calls.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Ninox_boobook_-_Southern_Boobook_XC442607.mp3

Australian Boobook Call | Source: James Ray, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

They mightiness besides make repetitive croaking aliases grunting sounds arsenic a consequence to different boobooks hooting.

10. Ural Owl

Image Credit: PIxabay.

• Scientific Name: Strix uralensis
• Length: 19.7-24.4 in
• Wingspan: 48.8-52.7 in
• Weight: 1-3.2 lb

Ural owls are wide type that scope from Scandinavia done Russia to Japan. These ample owls tin beryllium identified by their mini acheronian eyes, agleam yellowish beaks, ray grey to acheronian brownish plumage, and deficiency of receptor tufts. 

Ural owls inhabit deciduous aliases mixed forests and woodlands pinch clearings wherever they provender connected voles, shrews, rats, mice, birds, insects, and lizards. They are nocturnal and hunt astatine night, detecting their prey by sound. 

Ural owls are monogamous and enactment together for years, often for life. To fortify their bond, males will singing and supply prey to females. Males besides make deep, resonating hoots while nan females emit higher, hoarser notes. Ural owls hoot during nan night, starting astir 10 PM and much intensely astir 2 AM.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Strix_uralensis_-_Ural_Owl_XC108372.mp3

Ural Owl Call | Source: Alexander Kurthy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

11. Eurasian Eagle-owl

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Bubo bubo
• Length: 22-30 in
• Wingspan: 51.5-74 in
• Weight: 2.6-10.1 lb

Eurasian eagle-owls are immense and powerful owls recovered successful Europe and Asia, successful various habitats ranging from forests to rocky canyons. They are besides called nan Uhu.

These raptors person very pronounced receptor tufts, mottled brownish feathers, and streaked breasts – for illustration astir owls, location are nary colour differences betwixt nan sexes. Eurasian eagle-owls besides person pumpkin-orange eyes that make them 1 of nan astir striking owls successful nan world. 

To pass their moods and needs, these ample raptors will make clicks, chirps, growls, aliases beak clacks. As portion of their courtship ritual, males will front and hoot loudly astatine nan females. Pairs are vocal and will often singing successful a duet, exchanging a bid of heavy and high-pitched hoots. 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Bubo_bubo_-_Eurasian_Eagle-Owl_XC461330.mp3

Eurasian Eagle-owl Call | Source: Mirko Tomasi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In nan wild, Eurasian eagle-owls will unrecorded up to 20 years – successful captivity, they tin scope 60!

12. Spectacled Owl

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Pulsatrix perspicillata
• Length: 16-20.6 in
• Wingspan: 33 in
• Weight: 1-2.7 lb

Spectacled owls are ample and unmistakable birds recovered successful Central and South America. They are communal successful humid evergreen forests, often staying hidden successful shady spots. 

Spectacled owls are pinch acheronian brownish bodies and very achromatic to yellow-ochre-colored bellies – they besides person ray lines astir their ample agleam orange-yellow eyes that look for illustration “spectacles”. 

Most vocal connected calm, moonlit nights, spectacled owls will make calls consisting of a bid of heavy hoots that is described arsenic “a expanse of metallic being flexed quickly” aliases “a hammer hitting a hollow tree”. 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Pulsatrix_perspicillata_-_Spectacled_Owl_XC251445.mp3

Spectacled Owl Call | Source: Niels Krabbe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Males will singing to advertise their territory, usually precocious successful trees. Females will make akin songs but pinch a higher pitch; pairs will often singing successful duets.

13. Cape Eagle-owl

Image Credit: Pixabay.

• Scientific Name: Bubo capensis
• Length: 18-24 in
• Wingspan: 48 in
• Weight: 2-4 lb

Cape eagle-owls are ample owls pinch strong-looking builds recovered successful South Africa wherever they inhabit rocky terrains, mostly mountains. They lucifer spotted eagle-owls and tin beryllium identified by their acheronian brownish plumage, salient receptor tufts, and striking yellowish-orange eyes. 

Cape eagle-owls person a opus that consists of a beardown and explosive hoot that is followed by a weaker “bowh-hu“. Females person akin voices to males, only higher pitched; pairs will occasionally singing successful a duet.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Cape_Eagle_Owl_%28Bubo_capensis%29_%28W1CDR0001437_BD2%29.ogg

Cape eagle-owl Call | Source: David Watts , CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

14. Ryukyu Scops-owl

Source: 陳達智, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Scientific Name: Otus elegans
• Length: 7.8 in 
• Wingspan: n/a
• Weight: 2.5-4.4 oz

Ryukyu scops-owls, besides known arsenic elegant scops-owls, unrecorded connected nan Ryukyu Islands successful Japan, Lanyu Island successful Taiwan, and nan Batanes and Babuyan Islands successful nan Philippines. These mini birds of prey person brownish plumage, short receptor tufts, yellowish eyes, and ray faces bordered pinch black. 

Ryuku scops-owls are communal successful tropical and subtropical evergreen forests but mightiness beryllium difficult to spot – they are champion identified by their agelong bid of hiccuping hoots. 

Ryuku scops-owl call

15. Oriental Bay Owl

Oriental Bay Owl | Source: shankar s. from Dubai, agreed arabian emirates, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Scientific Name: Phodilus badius
• Length: 10.1 in
• Wingspan: 16.1 in
• Weight: 19.8 oz

These unique-looking birds of prey are communal successful Southeast Asia and parts of India. Oriental bay owls are brownish above, creamy-gray above, and person highly angular heads and ample acheronian eyes. 

Due to their mini size and elusive nature, they mightiness beryllium difficult to spot successful forests and mangroves; nan champion is to place them for their calls. Oriental bay owls will hoot, scream, and make high-pitched whistle songs. 

Oriental Bay Owl Call

Summary

This concludes our database of owls that hoot. Examples see awesome horned owls, spotted owls, barred owls, snowy owls, Eurasian eagle owls, and galore others. 

Hopefully adjacent clip you perceive these, you will admit immoderate of them pinch ease!