Eastern Screech-Owl Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Whinny song (Northern)
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New York, September 09, 1979Recorded by Hugh P. McIsaac | Macaulay Library
Trill song (Northern)
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Maryland, July 23, 2000Recorded by Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library
Calls and bill claps (Northern)
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Maryland, July 12, 1998Recorded by Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library
Song (McCall's)
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Texas, April 22, 1998Recorded by Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Songs

Both males and females sing. Their most common sounds are an even-pitched trill, often called a “bounce song” or tremolo; and a shrill, descending whinny. The tremolo is used by pairs or families to keep in touch and is 3–6 seconds long. The whinny is 0.5–2 seconds long and is used to defend territories. These two songs may be given one after the other. Mated pairs may sing to each other antiphonally, both day and night.

Calls

Among the Eastern Screech-Owl’s many calls are soft, low hoots; loud, sharp barking calls that indicate alarm or agitation; and, true to their name, screeches—typically given by adults defending nests or fledglings. A three- or four-note chuckle or rattle denotes annoyance, as when a bird is being mobbed.