If you hear a “hoo” at night, it might be an owl—but different owls make many different calls. Some hoot, while others whistle, screech, or hiss.
Fun fact: Great Horned Owls can whistle and hiss as well as hoot.
A four-slide private lesson about Why Do Owls Say Hoo?
Why Do Owls Say Hoo?
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Owl calls can help one owl communicate with another. A call might mark its territory or help it find a mate.
Fun fact: A pair of Great Horned Owls may take turns hooting in a duet.
Many owls hunt when the light is low. Their eyes gather light well, and their hearing helps them locate sounds. They still need some light to see; they cannot see in complete darkness.
Fun fact: A Great Horned Owl's ear tufts are feathers, not its ears.
Some owls have feathers that make their flight quieter, which can help them approach prey. The next time you hear a night bird, could you find out which species made the sound?
Fun fact: Long-eared Owls have fringed edges on their flight feathers.