Great horned owls communicate using a variety of vocalizations, with each call serving a specific purpose. By learning to recognize and interpret these vocalizations, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts can gain insight into the lives of these mysterious raptors.
Overview of Great Horned Owl Vocalizations
There are five main types of vocalizations used by great horned owls: territorial calls, mating calls, alarm calls, begging calls, and contact calls. Each serves a distinct function in owl communication and behavior.
Territorial calls are used to establish and defend the owl’s home range. These loud calls, most notably the iconic “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoooooo” of the male, communicate possession of a territory and ward off intruders. Mating calls are used in courtship rituals and stimulate a potential mate. Softer and more intimate than the territorial calls, mating vocalizations help a pair bond and synchronize reproduction.
Alarm calls signal danger or threats from predators. These include barking, screaming, and bill-snapping sounds. Begging calls are made by baby owlets to request food from their parents. As they mature, the call loses its raspy begging tone and gains more structure. Finally, contact calls serve to communicate among family unit members, helping owls keep track of one another and coordinate movements.
Hoots
The most recognizable great horned owl vocalization is their resonant, baritone hoot. It consists of a deep, booming “hoo-hoo-hoo” followed by a long “hoooooooo” sound that drops in pitch towards the end. Male great horned owls begin hooting in late fall to claim their nesting territory and attract a mate. It is one of the owls’ territorial calls.
The male’s hoot serves several purposes:
- Lets other males know this territory is occupied
- Helps the male and female locate one another for breeding
- Notifies rival owls of the occupied territory’s boundaries
Since the male hoots repeatedly through the night, his hoot also communicates to the female that he is able-bodied and can provide food for the family. The deep, resonant notes of the territorial hoot can carry for several miles. Lower-pitched hoots indicate a larger male great horned owl, which females may find more desirable as a mate.
Screeches
Both male and female great horned owls give alarm calls consisting of screeches, barks, and bill-snaps. These screeches are used to communicate agitation, alarm, or as a territorial display. Screeches are often accompanied by outspread wings and puffed feathers to appear larger and more menacing to potential threats.
Some reasons a great horned owl may screech include:
- A predator gets too close to the nest
- A rival owl encroaches on its territory
- In response to harassment from smaller birds
When heard during the day, screeches usually signify an altercation at the nest. At night, they often mean an owl is on the hunt and has spotted potential prey. Screeches are thus an assertive call reflecting aggression, unease, or excitement.
Chirps
Short, high-pitched chirps are one of the great horned owl contact calls. They are used for communication between mated pairs and family members. Chirping allows owls to locate one another, especially the female calling the male after leaving the nest. Chirps also act as response calls and help coordinate movements while hunting.
Owlets will chirp softly when adults arrive with food. As they mature, owlets chirp more insistently to demand food. Young owls may chatter together at the nest. The chirping call helps family members identify and keep track of one another in the dark of night.
Hisses
Great horned owls hiss as an aggressive territorial display, often from the nest. Both males and females will hiss at encroaching rivals or perceived threats. The owl puffs its feathers to appear larger while emitting an elongated, raspy hiss. This vocalization communicates a willingness to attack if pressed.
Owls may also hiss when humans or predators approach the nest. By hissing first, the owl signals its aggressive intent in hopes of deterring the intruder without an actual attack. Hissing therefore serves as an early warning to avoid escalation.
Begging Calls
Young great horned owls make begging calls that start out raspy and high-pitched. As they mature over 2-3 months, the call drops in pitch and takes on more structure. Begging calls serve to stimulate the adults to deliver food and indicate the owlet’s location in the dark nest.
Adults can distinguish each owlet’s unique begging call. The begging call reaching a peak around 14 days signifies maximum food demand for the rapidly developing owlets. Begging tapers off as the owlets mature and leave the nest at around 12 weeks old.
Duets
Mated great horned owls may perform duets together, taking turns vocalizing. Most often, the male hoots first and the female joins in. The female makes a higher-pitched gurgling sound interspersed with the male’s deep hoots.
These breeding season duets help the pair synchronize their reproductive behaviors. Duets also communicate fitness information to other owls in the area and reinforce the pair bond. The closely coordinated duet is a territorial display announcing the presence of a strong breeding pair.
When Are They Most Vocal?
Great horned owls are most vocal from late fall through mid-spring during breeding and nesting season. Peak calling occurs in February and March when pairs are forming, breeding, and preparing nests. Vocalizations decrease in late spring after owlets hatch and adults are busy hunting.
Territorial hoots are often made spontaneously through the night but increase around dusk and dawn. Young owlets vocalize most intensely from around 2 weeks old to 2 months as food demands peak. Adults make more contact calls to locate each other and supply the hungry, begging owlets during this period.
Interpreting Owl Vocalizations
Paying close attention to the calls, frequency, and time of year can reveal a lot about owl behavior and communication. Becoming familiar with the great horned owl’s repertoire provides insight into their daily and seasonal activities.
Territorial hoots indicate nesting season is underway and males are claiming territories. A duet may signal a mated pair and upcoming nest preparation. Alert chip and squawk calls could indicate an owl is hunting or a threat is nearby. Begging calls point to owl chicks at the nest, while hisses signal an agitated adult.
Learning to interpret the language of different owl vocalizations takes time but allows birders a glimpse into the mysterious world of these engaging raptors.
Conclusion
Great horned owls have a diverse vocabulary of vocalizations that serve important communication functions. Hoots establish territories and attract mates. Screeches signal alarm. Chirps act as contact calls to coordinate movements and keep track of family members. Hisses convey aggression and a willingness to attack. Begging calls stimulate adults to deliver food. And duets help synchronize breeding behaviors between the mated pair.
Paying close attention to the unique calls of these raptors provides clues into their daily and seasonal behaviors. With patience, bird enthusiasts can learn to interpret great horned owl vocal language and gain fascinating insights into the lives of these captivating birds of prey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Horned Owl Vocalizations
What does a great horned owl hoot sound like?
The great horned owl’s signature hoot sounds like a low, deep and resonant “hoo-hoo-hoo” followed by a long “hoooooo” that drops in pitch at the end. It is one of the most recognizable owl calls.
Why do great horned owls hoot?
Male great horned owls hoot for several reasons:
- To claim their territory and ward off rival males
- To demonstrate fitness to attract a mate
- To indicate the boundaries of their territories
- To communicate with and locate their mate
What does it mean when you hear a great horned owl?
Hearing a resident great horned owl hooting usually means it is breeding and nesting season between late fall and mid-spring. The owl is claiming its territory and trying to attract or communicate with a mate during this period. It’s a good indication that great horned owls are active and nesting in the area.
What does it mean when a great horned owl screeches?
Great horned owls screech for several reasons. Screeching is an alarm call that signals distress, agitation, or territory defense. Some reasons owls screech include:
- A predator gets too close to the nest
- Another owl encroaches on their territory
- In response to harassment by smaller birds
- When aggravated or making an aggressive display
What does it mean when you hear a great horned owl at night?
If you hear a resident great horned owl hooting at night, it likely means that it is out hunting and defending its territory. The hoots advertise that the owl is prepared to chase rivals from its territory and pursue nighttime prey like rodents and rabbits. Screeches at night often signify it is on the hunt and sees potential prey.
Do great horned owls hoot during the day?
Great horned owls are mostly nocturnal and do most of their hooting at night. However, they will sometimes call and screech during daylight hours, especially in response to nest disturbances, harassment from other birds, or competing owls encroaching on their territory.
Why do owls hoot in October?
Great horned owls begin hooting and calling in late fall, especially October, to claim nesting territories and attract mates. October marks the start of breeding season for great horned owls as they establish territories, find a mate, and prepare to nest. The hooting during this time advertises territory possession and demonstrates fitness to potential mates.
Do female great horned owls hoot?
Yes, female great horned owls do hoot, but their hoots are higher pitched and shorter than the males. Females may also perform a gurgling sound during duets. Males do most of the spontaneous nighttime hooting to claim territories and advertise themselves to females.
What does it mean when you hear two owls hooting together?
When two owls are heard hooting back and forth, this likely indicates a mated pair performing a territorial duet. The male hoots first, then the female joins in, often with a gurgling sound. These coordinated duets communicate fitness, strengthen pair bonds, and warn away other owls.
What time of day are owls most vocal?
Great horned owls are generally most vocal from dusk to dawn since they are nocturnal. Peak calling occurs during the night and around sunset and sunrise. However, they will also call and screech during daylight hours when agitated or responding to intruders near the nest.
| Call Type | Sound Description | Communicative Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hoot | Deep, resonant “hoo-hoo-hoo” followed by a long “hoooooo” | Territorial display, mate attraction, communicating location |
| Screech | Loud, piercing scream or bark | Alarm call, signaling distress or aggression |
| Chirp | Short, high-pitched chirp | Contact call, especially between mates and family members |
| Hiss | Prolonged, raspy hiss | Territorial defense, indicating readiness to attack |
| Begging call | Loud, raspy call that drops in pitch as owlet matures | Stimulates adults to deliver food |
| Duet | Male and female vocalizing together | Strengthens pair bond, territorial display |
Conclusion
In summary, great horned owls have a wide repertoire of vocalizations that serve important communication functions. Their calls provide insight into their breeding status, hunting behaviors, and interactions with family members. Learning to interpret the vocal language of these magical birds opens up their secret world to human observers. With patient listening, their hoots, screeches, and duets reveal the mysterious daily lives of great horned owls over the course of each year.
