Barred owls (Strix varia) are medium-sized owls native to North America. They get their name from the distinctive brown and white horizontal barring pattern on their chest feathers. Barred owls are known for their loud, raucous calls that can sound like laughing or yelling. In this article, we will explore the vocalizations of barred owls and answer the question: do barred owls yell?
Barred Owl Calls
Barred owls have a wide repertoire of vocalizations they use to communicate. Here are some of the most common barred owl calls:
Hooting
Barred owls are most famous for their distinctive “who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all” hooting call. This 8-note call starts with a low, wavering “who” and ends with a higher-pitched “you-all.” It is often described as sounding like raucous laughter. Both male and female barred owls give the hooting call, using it to establish territories and attract mates.
Caterwaul
The caterwaul call is a raspy, wailing scream that sounds like a crying baby. It is given when barred owls are agitated or defending their territory. Caterwaul calls are often made during territory disputes with other barred owls.
Cackles
Barred owls also make a loud, cackling “caw caw caw” sound. They may string together a series of up to 50 short cackle calls. This call is used in a wide variety of situations and serves to communicate over long distances.
begging calls
When begging for food, barred owl chicks make a hissing “sssshhh” sound. This call alerts the parents that the chicks are hungry and stimulates the adults to deliver food.
Do Barred Owls Yell?
So do any of these vocalizations qualify as yelling? By definition, to yell involves shouting loudly in an aggressive, excited, or desperate way.
Some of the barred owl calls certainly match this description. The caterwaul scream in particular is a loud, raspy, and aggressive call used during territory disputes. Barred owls may also string together multiple excited cackle calls in social situations.
So in summary, while barred owls do not yell in the same way humans do, their caterwaul, cackling, and hooting calls could be characterized as a form of yelling based on their volume and excitability. The cacophony of sounds in a barred owl territory dispute would likely sound like yelled arguing to human ears!
Why Do Barred Owls Yell?
Barred owls have several reasons for using their loud, yelling-like calls:
Defending territories
Barred owls are highly territorial and use their caterwaul screams to warn other owls away. Loud calls communicate information about the strength and dominance of the owl.
Attracting mates
Male barred owls use hooting to attract females during breeding season. Females may also call loudly to signal their readiness to breed. Calls help the owls find each other in dense forest habitats.
Communicating over distance
Barred owl vocalizations carry long distances, allowing family and flock members to keep in contact. Loud calls are important for coordinating movements and social interactions.
Begging for food
Owl chicks use loud begging screams to solicit food from parents. The more excitement in the call, the greater the perceived need for food.
Alarm
Cackling and hooting may be used to signal a threat or as an alarm call to alert other owls. Loud calls quickly communicate information.
Adaptations for Yelling
Barred owls possess special physical adaptations that allow them to produce their loud, yelling vocalizations:
Large syrinx
The syrinx is the vocal organ of birds located at the branch point between the trachea and bronchi. Barred owls have an exceptionally large syrinx, allowing them to generate resonant, far-reaching calls.
Long trachea
A barred owl’s trachea is also elongated, adding volume to their vocalizations through resonance.
Highly developed vocal muscles
Powerful chest and neck muscles give barred owls precise control over call modulation and allow them to sustain long screams.
Facial discs
The concave, dish-like feathers on an owl’s face help direct sound waves outward to increase call propagation.
Impacts of Barred Owl Yelling
The yelling vocalizations of barred owls can have several ecological impacts:
Territory spacing
Frequent territorial calls help establish spacing between neighboring owls. This reduces direct conflicts and reinforces territorial boundaries.
Prey effects
Loud owl calls may alert prey species like small mammals and birds, making them more vigilant or altering their behavior to avoid predation.
Competition with other species
Barred owl yells may compete with or drown out vocalizations of other owl species like great horned owls and spotted owls. This can negatively impact their communication.
Human nuisance
In some cases, loud nighttime owl calling may disturb sleep patterns or quality of life for people living nearby. This is mostly reported as a problem in urban and suburban settings.
Fun Facts About Barred Owl Vocalizations
Here are some interesting additional facts about the calls of barred owls:
– Barred owls don’t hoot until they are around one year old. Younger birds make softer begging calls.
– The hooting call evolved to carry well through dense forest habitats. Each hoot note is slightly louder to resist attenuation.
– Nestling and fledgling barred owls will mimic adult vocalizations and “practice” calling even before they can make the actual sounds.
– Both male and female barred owls hoot and caterwaul. Females tend to have higher, more raspy voices.
– During territorial disputes, owls may hoot repeatedly for several hours or even days on end.
– Barred owls have regional dialects, with slightly different hooting patterns between populations. However, they recognize each other’s calls.
– The white vertical barring on a barred owl’s neck and chest may help exaggerate body movements during calling.
– Barred owls will often duet together, with mated pairs taking turns calling back and forth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, barred owls certainly produce vocalizations like caterwauling screams and excited hooting that could accurately be described as a form of “yelling.” They yell to defend territories, attract mates, care for young, and communicate over distances. Special physical adaptations give barred owls the ability to yell loudly. Their vocal displays play an important ecological role but can also cause problems in some human contexts. So the next time you hear raucous calls in the night woods, you’ll know the barred owls are out yelling again!