For the first time in a long time, I have a pair of owls calling in my neighborhood!  It's nice to welcome them back!  

In years past, I've had Barred Owls, some of which seemed to enjoy "conversing" with me.  And sometimes I'd hear a Great Horned Owl, generally a single bird.  

The calls tonight are puzzling, though.  Instead of a typical Barred owl call (who-cooks-for-you) or Great Horned (hoohoohoo   hooo hooo).... I'm hearing something different.  

One bird is calling, pretty consistently ... "hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoooaw"  and the returning bird is generally saying "hoo hooaw" or "hooo hooo" or just hoo-aw.  (I think the second bird has gotten tired!).  

Anyway, because of the "aw" at the end of most calls, I'm leaning towards a pair of barred owls.  But ... never heard them talking in this dialect before.  And at times, it sure sounds Great Hornish.  I dunno.  Does the six straight, precise "hoo"s, finishing with a hoooaw sound familar to anyone?  Any ideas?  

(I tried to tape them, but not sure if I've captured them or not... but if anyone wants to try to listen, I'll try to send it to you!)

 

Joanne

Joanne Howl, DVM
West River, MD



 

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