Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

  • Shrill call from an owl?

    Question

    I have a pair of owls living in my backyard woods in Novelty. They are up and around during the day. They look like Barred Owls, but they have a shrill call that sounds more like a Barn Owl -- but they aren't, because Barn Owls are white. See photo below. Thanks.

    Naturalist's Response

    Yes, this is a Barred Owl. They have many different calls, so that may be why you didn’t recognize it at first. Baby Barred Owls have a shrieky, hissing call that they do when trying to communicate and illicit food from the parents. It’s an eerie sound but very distinct.

    -Naturalist Tami Gingrich