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American Barn Owl Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Calls (American)
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Florida, May 02, 2018Recorded by Paul Marvin / Macaulay Library
Calls (American)
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California, June 10, 2004Recorded by Gregory Budney / Macaulay Library
Calls (American)
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New York, September 17, 1962Recorded by Charles A. Sutherland / Macaulay Library
Calls (American)
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California, May 14, 2020Recorded by Brian Sullivan / Macaulay Library
Juvenile calls (American)
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Florida, December 28, 2004Recorded by Gerrit Vyn / Macaulay Library

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

Calls

American Barn Owls don’t hoot the way most owls do; instead, they make a long, harsh scream that lasts about 2 seconds. It’s made mostly by the male, who often calls repeatedly from the air. Females give the call infrequently. A softer, more wavering version of this is termed a purring call. Males use it to invite a female to inspect a nest site, and females use it to beg for food from the male. American Barn Owls also make a loud, 3-4 second hiss at intruders or predators that disturb the nest.

Other Sounds

When agitated, American Barn Owls snap their bill mandibles together. As part of a display flight, males sometimes clap their wings together once or twice.

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Compare the Short-eared Owl Adult to the American Barn Owl

Short-eared Owl

Compare the Snowy Owl Adult female/immature male to the American Barn Owl

Compare the Burrowing Owl Adult to the American Barn Owl

Compare the Long-eared Owl Adult to the American Barn Owl

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