Ross,

Thanks for the information.  

To me the tone was more like a GHO than a barred.   I have heard both around my home, but more often Barred.  I heard a Barred last night, a little atypical, but still clearly a Barred, and the tone was a bit different.   I also thought the sound was a bit muffled, more than I would expect of GHO. 

Listening to the Long Eared calls, the sound sure could be this BUT - it did NOT repeat.   I hadn't even thought of the possibility of Long Eared - although I did go through and listen to a ton of owl sounds before posting to the list!!!  (I didn't listen to that one!)

Joanne

Joanne Howl, DVM

West River, MD












-----Original Message-----
From: Ross Geredien <>
To: 
Sent: Thu, Sep 23, 2010 11:38 am
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Single hoot


Joanne,

      Tone is key to identifying single-hoot owl calls.  Is this a loud, sharp, 
nd almost downward slurring "WHOO!", like a barred owl?  
       Or is this a low, somewhat drawn-out "Hooot", somewhat soft or muffled?  
s it repeated regularly?  If so.....and I hate to go out on a limb, but what 
he heck, it could possibly be a Long-eared Owl.  To check your owl calls/tones, 
ry going to Cornell's All About Birds site and listen to a Long-eared call:
ttp://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Long-eared_Owl/sounds

reat horneds can also give a single hoot, often very deep and low-toned or 
uffled, but can also be quite variable.  Try listening to them on the Cornell 
ite to get a sense of their tones.  A single hoot for Great-horned is atypical, 
ut if it's very distant sometimes the preceding notes are inaudible, and all 
ou will hear is the last note.

abitat and location could also be clues to ID;  is this is broad-leaf forest? 
f so, then likely Barred.  If coming from a suburban/rural conifer thicket or 
amboo-type dense thicket, then possibly a Long-eared.  If in mature pines, then 
ost likely Great-horned.

oss
--- On Thu, 9/23/10, Joanne Howl <> wrote:

rom: Joanne Howl <>
ubject: [MDOSPREY] Single hoot
o: 
ate: Thursday, September 23, 2010, 12:42 AM

everal times in the last two weeks I have heard an owl call - but just a single 
oot.  At least twice it has been near my home, where Barred Owls are common and 
reat Horned Owls will occaisionally call.  But I've heard this in at least one 
ther place in AA county recently - can't remember where at the moment.   
Anyone have words of wisdom on how to figure out what owl is calling, when all 
ou get is one hoot?
Joanne
Joanne Howl, DVM

est River, MD