Owl Listening Guide: Who Gives a Hoot? Different owls make different sounds. Some don't hoot at all. And the most common bird that says "Whoo, hoooooo" isn't an owl at all! Listen to what these birds sound like. The Barred Owl's call can sound like Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all? OR Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo HOOOO-AH! OR Like Monkeys!! OR Who? OR Baby Barred Owls screech The Northern Saw-whet Owl may sound like Co-co-co-co-co, which some people think sounds like a truck backing up. On migration, they make a different note. The tiny Eastern Screech-Owl can Whinny OR Trill The Great Horned Owl's hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo is softer than the Barred Owl's. It doesn't have an easy-to recognize rhythm. Can you hear two owls calling to each other? When adults are alarmed near the nest, they growl. Babies screech A Sound-alike Species This Mourning Dove isn't an owl, but it says Hoo-ah-hoo Hooo Hoooooo! TryThis! Bird-Calling Contest! Listen to these calls, and practice imitating them. Then have a contest. Choose a panel of judges who must guess which calls you're imitating. You can learn many different bird songs if you have recordings. One of the best is the Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs. The Eastern Region set is by Lang Elliott, and the Western Region set is by Kevin Colver. See how many different kinds of sounds YOU can imitate! TryThis! Calling All Owls! At nighttime, go for an owl walk with your parents. See if you can hear an owl. Try calling, and see if an owl calls to you! This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2008 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.