Messages from an Owl

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianusVocalizations and Associated Behaviours

“…This seems to be an indicator of sexual arousal in Alice and perhaps could be considered a distinct type of hoot. Possible analogies: "Hoot" (Bent 1938;Austing & Holt 1966); "official hoot" (Heinrich 1993); "courtship calling" (Gottfred & Gottfred 1996); "song" (König et al 1999); "full hoot" (Terman 1996); "territorial advertisement song" (Houston et al 1998). Bent (1938) described the territorial hoots of the male Great Horned Owl as being more elaborate than those of the female, and this description has been cited in the major references on the species (Austing & Holt 1966, Houston et al 1998.…”

“…Possible analogies: "Hut, hut, hut" call by female to young when returning to nest to brood (Hoffmeister & Setzer 1947); female entices male to nest with monotone, guttural hoot "-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo" (Austing & Holt. 1966); semi-tame female 'clucking' around artificial nest, in squirrel's nest, on workbench, and on eggs (Terman 1996).…”

“…Hmm?" that are quiet but make shoulders jiggle (Heinrich 1993); "chuckling" vocalizations by semitame female (Terman 1996).…”

“…Annoyed Chitters are also given by the female while being treaded by the male during copulation. Possible analogies: "Krrroooooo" by adults during an attack (Bent 1938); "chuckles" grade into "cackles of a higher pitch" in humanimprinted captive owl when slightly irritated (Heinrich 1993); "high-pitched squeal" during copulation and "trailing variable length chatter" after some copulations (Gottfred & Gottfred 1996); when tried to pick up semitame owl she made "loud chattering" sounds (Terman 1996); "squealing chitter call" by the female at the end of copulation, and by injured bird indicating discomfort or agitation (Vyn 2006).…”

“…Begging Calls are a broad spectrum vocalization with a sharp onset and termination, and are given repeatedly, all of which make them highly locatable in short range communication (Kroodsma & Miller 1982). Possible analogies: "Short, harsh penetrating cry which was not unlike the peep of Chordeiles" given repeatedly by a captive juvenile (Bent 1938); "Yank" call by juveniles (Wilson & Grigsby 1979); "screeek" call by juveniles (Harris 1983); "screeches incessantly in an irritating, rasping voice" for food and even when not hungry, but only on home territory (Heinrich 1993); young female "cheeped" often (Terman 1996); "young beg for food with hoarse discordant screams" (König et al 1999); "fledgling begging call" (Vyn 2006).…”