Owls make a range of sounds from the classic deep “hoot” to eerie screeches, hisses, barks, and high‑pitched whistles, depending on the species and the situation. Most people recognize their low, resonant hoots, which are often used to mark territory and call to mates at night.

Main owl sounds

Owls use different calls to communicate, defend territory, and attract partners. The main sound types include:

  • Hoots: Deep, soft “hoo‑hoo” or patterned hooting (“who cooks for you?” in barred owls).
  • Screeches: Harsh, drawn‑out cries, especially in barn owls and some young owls.
  • Hisses: Snake‑like hissing when threatened or defending a nest.
  • Whistles and toots: Clear, repeated notes, often in smaller owls like the Northern saw‑whet.
  • Barks and yowls: Short “woof‑woof” barks or human‑like yowls in species such as the barking owl.

Famous example calls

Different species have very recognizable “voices.” A few well‑known examples:

  • Great horned owl: Deep hoots in a pattern, often described as “hoo‑hoo hoooo hoo‑hoo.”
  • Barred owl: Rolling hoots that sound like “who cooks for you, who cooks for you‑all.”
  • Barn owl: A long, raspy, almost ghostly screech rather than a hoot.
  • Tawny owl (Europe/UK): The classic “twit‑twoo” duet, where the female does the sharp “twit” and the male answers “twoo.”
  • Northern saw‑whet owl: A repetitive “toot‑toot‑toot” like a truck backing up or a whistle.

What the sounds usually mean

Owl sounds are not random; they carry messages. Common meanings include:

  • Territory: Repeated hoots to say “this area is taken.”
  • Mating: Duets, patterned hoots, or softer calls between males and females.
  • Alarm/defense: Screeches, hisses, and bill‑clacking when disturbed near a nest.
  • Young owls: Chicks scream, screech, or whimper when hungry or seeking attention.

Owls at night around people

If you hear an owl near your home at night, you might notice:

  • Deep hooting from trees or rooftops, often repeated in a rhythm.
  • Occasional eerie screeches or shrieks that can sound like a person calling or a distant scream (especially barn or barking‑type owls).
  • Calls getting more frequent in late winter or early spring, when many species are pairing up.

Quick illustration in words

Imagine standing in a quiet forest at night:

  • First you hear a low, steady “hoo…hoo‑hoo…hoooo,” vibrating like a distant drum (a large owl such as a great horned or long‑eared owl).
  • Farther away, a thin, metronome‑like “toot…toot…toot…” comes from a tiny owl you might never see in the dark.
  • Suddenly, a sharp, chilling screech rips through the silence—that’s more likely a barn owl than a ghost.

Do you mainly want simple written descriptions like these, or links and tips to actually listen to recordings of different owl species?