The tawny owl (Strix aluco) is a species of owl found throughout much of Eurasia. It is a medium-sized owl with mottled brown plumage that helps it blend into tree trunks. The male and female tawny owls make different vocalizations to communicate with each other, especially during breeding season. The male’s territorial hoot is lower-pitched and can be heard up to 2 miles away, while the female makes a higher-pitched kewick contact call. To a female tawny owl, the male’s hoot signals his quality as a mate and defender of territory.
The Male Tawny Owl’s Hoot
The male tawny owl produces a deep, booming hoot to mark his territory and attract a mate. This highly territorial call is often described as a “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.” It is one of the most recognizable nighttime sounds across the tawny owl’s range. The hoot carries far through woodlands with a low frequency that is not easily dampened.
Researchers have analyzed the acoustic properties of the tawny owl hoot and found it typically has:
- A duration of about 2.5 seconds
- A fundamental frequency around 440 Hz
- 4 harmonic overtones
- A frequency range of 400-1200 Hz
The tawny owl does not hoot continuously. It will call for a period, then stop for an interval before hooting again. This pattern of hooting in bouts allows the calls to carry farther than continuous hooting would. Spacing out hoots also gives the owl’s vocal cords a rest between calls.
Why Do Tawny Owls Hoot?
Male tawny owls hoot for the following reasons:
- To claim territory – Tawny owls are highly territorial and will chase other males out of their domain. The male’s hoot signals occupancy of an area.
- To demonstrate health – A male’s hoot indicates his physical condition. Louder, lower hoots suggest a healthier and more robust owl.
- To attract a female – During breeding season, the male’s hoots help attract unmated females to his territory.
- To contact mate – The resident male and female duet their calls back and forth to maintain contact.
- To warn intruders – Hoots tell other males to stay away from the territory.
The typical hooting season lasts from October through January, though some intermittent calling may continue until June.
Variations in the Male’s Hoot
While the male’s advertisement hoot remains largely consistent, there are some subtle variations that convey additional information:
- Aggressive hoots – When threatened by a rival male, the hoot tone becomes harsher.
- Contact hoots – A shortened, softer series of hoots signals the male is keeping in touch with his mate.
- Alarm hoots – These very short hoots are used when the owl is highly alarmed, such as if his nest is disturbed.
Careful listening reveals how the tawny owl’s hoot changes with context. An aggressive or alarmed male sounds quite different from a male calmly calling to attract a female.
The Female Tawny Owl’s Kewick Call
While the male is best known for his deep hooting, the female tawny owl also vocalizes with a high-pitched, raspy call known as “kewick.” It is often written as “kee-wick” or “qua-wick” as it consists of two syllables. The female tawny owl uses this contact call year-round to communicate various messages:
- Bonding with mate – She duets kewick calls with the male as a bonding behavior.
- Begging – The female kewicks to beg the male to bring food to the nest.
- Marking territory – It signals occupancy of the territory.
- Warning – Kewicks inform the male of threats to the nest area.
Compared to the male’s hoot, the female kewick call has:
- A higher pitch, often around 1000 Hz.
- A raspy, squeaky quality.
- A shorter duration of 0.2 to 0.9 seconds.
The female tawny owl increases her kewick calling dramatically when she has a nest full of hungry owlets. She kewicks almost constantly to demand food delivery from the male. Once the owlets fledge, the female’s calling subsides.
Interpreting the Kewick Call
Just as the male tawny owl’s hoot varies, the female’s kewick call can indicate her mood and situation:
- Contact call – A spaced series of calm kewicks to signal her location to the male.
- Excited call – A rapid series of loud kewicks when mating or alarmed.
- Begging call – A constant stream of pleading kewicks requesting food for the young.
The female tawny owl’s vocabulary is limited compared to the male’s, but her kewick call is just as important for maintaining communication with her partner.
Duetting Behavior
One of the most characteristic tawny owl vocalizations is when the bonded male and female call back and forth to each other. The male hoots, then the female quickly answers with a kewick. This owlish duet helps the pair stay in contact and defend their territory together.
Scientists have studied the complex duetting behavior of tawny owls and found:
- Pairs develop their own unique rhythms and patterns of duetting.
- Most duets occur in early spring as pairs cement their breeding bond.
- The female is usually the instigator of duetting bouts.
- Males closely match the timing of the female’s calls.
- Pairs with tighter duets have greater reproductive success.
This duetting seems to be a tawny owl version of “sweet talk” between established mates. It strengthens the pair bond and improves coordination of territory defense and chick rearing.
Reactions of Female Owls to the Male’s Hoot
When a female tawny owl hears the deep hooting of a nearby male, she interprets it in the context of her own condition and situation. The male’s hoot provides key information as the female chooses a mate and breeding territory. Possible responses include:
Unmated female
- She is receptive to a male advertising his territory and searches for the source of the hoot.
- A strong, healthy hoot signals a robust mate who can provide food and protection.
- If the male is unsuitable, she moves on in search of a better option.
Mated female
- She duets with the resident male to cement their bond.
- His hoots help her pinpoint his location and request food for their young.
- A rival male’s hoot triggers a warning kewick to tell her mate to defend their territory.
Unreceptive female
- A female who has just nested may ignore male hoots during her recovery period.
- An older female with a long-term mate is less responsive to other males.
- Any female hearing alarm hoots prepares to defend herself or her owlets.
The female tawny owl listens closely to the male’s vocal cues to guide her breeding decisions. His hoots indicate qualities like health, strength, status and vigilance that are crucial for her reproductive success.
Conclusion
The tawny owl’s hooting and kewicking form a complex language that allows a mated pair to communicate across long distances. The male’s deep hoots signal his fitness and territory ownership. For the female, these hoots help guide her mate selection, stimulate duetting with her partner, and warn of territorial threats. The female’s high kewicks allow her to signal her location, bond with her mate, and demand food for their hungry brood. Together, the male’s hoot and female’s kewick serve the critical functions of breeding, bonding, and defending resources for this Eurasian owl.
