Long-eared owls (Asio otus) are medium-sized owls that are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They get their name from their distinctive long ear tufts, which can be raised and lowered at will. Long-eared owls make a variety of different sounds that can help identify them.
Hooting
One of the most common sounds made by long-eared owls is a series of low, rhythmic hoots. These hoots are often described as sounding like “hoo-hoo-hoo-hooo” or “oo-oo-oo-ooo.” The hoots are typically made by males marking their territory or trying to attract a mate.
Long-eared owls have a very distinctive hooting call that is lower-pitched than many other owls. It does not have the stereotypical “who-who” sound that many people associate with owls. The hoots often have a pulsating or tremolo quality to them, giving them an eerie feel.
Here are some key facts about long-eared owl hoots:
- Given as a territorial call by males during the breeding season
- Also used by both males and females as contact calls year-round
- Hoots occur at a frequency of roughly 200 hoots per minute
- Low-pitched hoots are often drawn out and have a pulsating quality
- Can sound like “ooo-ooo-ooooo” or “hoo-hoo-hoo-hooo”
Screeching
In addition to the low hoots, long-eared owls can also make higher-pitched, harsh screeching noises. These calls are often made when the owl feels threatened or alarmed. The screeches act as warning calls to intruders or predators.
Some characteristics of long-eared owl screeches:
- Harsh, abrasive quality unlike the soft hoots
- Short, sharp bursts of noise
- Often reptitive screeching when highly alarmed
- Much higher pitched than the hoots
- Can sound like “skreeeek” or “kreeee”
Screeching by long-eared owls tends to be higher-pitched and more piercng than the screeches of some other owl species. They use this aggressive call to mob potential predators that get too close to their nest.
Clapping
A rather unique sound made by long-eared owls is a clapping noise produced with their wings. When taking off for flight, long-eared owls will sometimes make a loud, applauding sound with their wings.
Characteristics of the clapping sound:
- Caused by owls clapping their wings together
- Produces a muffled, applauding effect
- Often occurs as the owl launches into flight
- May be used to startle and disorient prey
- Unusual vocalization compared to hoots and screeches
This clapping behavior seems to be an uncommon trait seen in some long-eared owl populations. The exact purpose is uncertain, but it likely helps scare and disorient prey when the owl is hunting at night.
Shrieking
Long-eared owls, particularly females guarding a nest, may produce a piercing shriek or scream when confronting potential threats. This call is more intense than a typical screech.
What a long-eared owl shriek may sound like:
- Loud, piercing scream that trails off
- High-pitched and strained quality
- Drawn-out over several seconds
- Very aggressive in context
- Used as a warning to predators near the nest
The shriek is one of the most alarming calls in the long-eared owl’s repertoire. Both sexes may utilize it, but females seem to shriek more often when defending eggs or chicks.
Bill-snapping
Like many owls, long-eared owls will snap their bills as a defensive behavior. This creates a sharp clicking or cracking sound. Bill-snapping serves as an audible warning to potential threats that get too close.
What to know about bill-snapping:
- Produced by rapidly opening and closing the owl’s bill
- Results in a loud cracking or clicking noise
- Serves as a threat display
- May be accompanied by posturing and raising feathers
- Often occurs before screeching or shrieking
Bill-snapping is not a vocal sound per se, but it is an important part of the long-eared owl’s defensive repertoire when it feels cornered or threatened.
Calls of chicks
Baby long-eared owls, known as owlets, make various sounds from inside the nest. These calls include soft chirping and whistling noises used to communicate with the parents.
Typical sounds of long-eared owl chicks:
- Faint, high-pitched chirping or whistling
- Short, repetitive vocalizations
- Softer and less harsh than adult owl calls
- Used to beg for food from parents
- Increase in frequency as the chicks get older
The calls of owlets can help alert observers to the presence of a long-eared owl nest. The chicks make these contact calls from shortly after hatching until they fledge the nest.
When are sounds made?
Long-eared owls engage in most acoustic communication from fall through spring. This coincides with breeding activities and territorial behavior.
Key times and contexts when long-eared owls are most vocal:
- Territorial hoots by males peak in March-April during courtship
- Dusk and dawn activity peaks feature more contact calls
- Alarm calls are often made when defending nest sites
- Young owlets chirp frequently starting a few weeks after hatching
- Most vocalizations decrease by late spring after nesting
During the summer, long-eared owls are much less vocal and more secretive. Their calling increases again in the fall as new territories are established.
Purpose of vocalizations
Long-eared owls use their various vocalizations for some key purposes:
- Territorial defense – hooting by males deters rivals
- Mate attraction – male hoots draw in females
- Contact – calls facilitate pairing and bonding
- Alarm – screeches and shrieks warn of danger
- Begging – chicks solicit food with chirps
Different owl calls often serve multiple functions. For example, the male’s hoot declares territory ownership, attracts females, and communicates with the mate.
Identification tips
Here are some key tips for identifying long-eared owls by sound:
- Listen for low, rhythmic hoots – often drawn out in a tremolo
- Screeches have a harsh, abrasive tone unlike other owls
- Shrieks are louder and more piercing than screeches
- Clapping of the wings makes a muffled applauding noise
- Chicks make soft, high-pitched whistles and chirps
Combining sightings with vocalizations is best to confirm ID. Look for prominent ear tufts and orange eyes.
Conclusion
Long-eared owls have a diverse repertoire of sounds. Males hoot to defend territories and attract mates. Alarm calls include screeches, shrieks and bill-snapping. The clapping noise made by the wings is unique. Chicks chirp constantly in the nest. Paying attention to the owls’ various vocalizations can help locate and identify them.
