I haven't heard anything quite like Karla's example, but the call recorded
by Steve is familiar - I hear the Great Horned Owls making this call (or
'screechier', as Rob described) from summer through to early fall. Like Rob,
I always figured it was the youngsters making the noise.
Mark Phinney
on 11/26/06 1:21 PM, Rob Danielson at wrote:
Karia and Steve--
Your observations are consistent with the "squawky" calls that can
continue for long periods this time of year in West Central
Wisconsin. Interesting. Steve's call is lower-pitched and a bit
"hornier" than the calls I typically hear. I'd describe those I hear
as less throaty and a tad screechier. I've thought these calls were
only made by GHO juveniles because of the sound samples I
encountered. Thanks for the education! Rob D.
At 8:48 AM -0600 11/26/06, Ken & Karla Kinstler wrote:
>I'm almost positive the sound you recorded, Steve, is a Great Horned
>Owl. Adults have less "wimpy" squawks than the youngsters do, and
>adults will do repeated squawks just as you described. Our resident
>male does it interspersed with some really funky wild hooting, but
>females do it also to maintain contact with the kids. Not sure yet
>if females do it like this outside of "kid raising season." If
>you'd like to hear some of my GHO squawk sound files, let me know.
>A short clip of our resident male is posted at
>http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Bubo-virginianus-15.mp3, but your
>recording sounds more like the two females I've heard squawking with
>their kids. Granted this male is the only male I've heard
>squawking, and I know there is much individual variation.
>
>Karla Kinstler
>19268 Perkins Valley Dr
>Houston, MN 55943
>http://owlstuff.com
>Alice News: http://owlstuff.com/aliceweblog.html
>
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