Long-eared Owl song and calls

Birdsong and calls are often the easiest way to identify the Long-eared Owl, especially when the bird is hidden in dense foliage. Below is what to listen for.

Song

The male's primary song is a soft, low, monotonous 'hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo...' series, repeated 10-20 times at intervals of 2-3 seconds. It's a quiet, ventriloquial sound, often difficult to pinpoint. It can also produce a soft, purring 'oooo-oo-oo-oo' call.

Calls

Various calls include a cat-like 'mew' or 'waah' call, often given by females or in alarm. Young owls produce a distinctive, high-pitched, squeaky 'pee-eep' or 'squeak' call, especially when begging for food, which can be heard from a distance.

When they vocalize

Mainly vocal during the breeding season (late winter to early summer), primarily at night. Young owls are very vocal when fledging and begging for food.

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