The barred owl (Strix varia) is a medium-sized owl native to North America. It gets its name from the horizontal brown and white barring pattern on its chest feathers. Barred owls are highly vocal birds and use a repertoire of calls and hoots to communicate. One of their most distinctive vocalizations is a loud, raspy screech that has been described as sounding like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” This eerie call of the barred owl often elicits a spine-tingling reaction from those who hear it piercing the night. But beyond being creepy, what does the barred owl’s screech actually mean? Understanding the context and meaning behind this bird’s vocalizations provides insight into its behavior and ecology.
Purpose of Barred Owl Screeches
The barred owl’s screech serves several important purposes:
- Territory defense – Barred owl pairs defend permanent territories year-round against intrusions by other barred owls. The screech call proclaims that a territory is occupied and warns off potential rivals.
- Mate attraction – Unmated males give screech calls during courtship to advertise themselves to females and demonstrate that they have an established territory.
- Prey attraction – The screech may lure small mammals and birds close by as they investigate the sound, making them easier for the owl to ambush and capture.
- Communication between mates – Barred owl pairs use a variety of vocalizations to keep in contact with each other and coordinate activities like defending territories and feeding young.
So in summary, the barred owl’s trademark screech serves to delineate territories, attract mates, draw in prey, and facilitate pair bonding and coordination. It is an essential part of the species’ social and hunting behaviors.
When Do Barred Owls Screech?
Barred owls may vocalize and screech at any time of day or night, but screeching activity peaks during:
- Early evening hours – Owls become active and start calling to establish territories and contact mates as it gets dark.
- Late night/early morning hours – Peak hunting times when owls screech to locate prey and communicate with their mate.
- Late winter and early spring – Breeding season heightens vocal activity as unmated owls call to attract mates and pair bonds are re-established through duetting screeches.
Screeching tends to increase in frequency when defending nest sites or fledglings during breeding season. It tapers off during summer after young leave the nest. Screeching by mated pairs keeps non-resident owls from encroaching on occupied territories year-round.
What Triggers Barred Owl Screeching?
Specific circumstances that trigger increased screeching behavior include:
- Territorial intrusions by other barred owls
- Human disturbance near a nest or roost site
- Nocturnal movements of potential prey animals
- Encounters between mates at territory boundaries
- Duetting between male and female as part of courtship
- One mate summoning the other with contact calls
Hearing the screech is a clear signal that another owl has entered an occupied territory or that prey is active nearby. It does not always indicate alarm or agitation. The varying frequency, duration and pitch of barred owl screeches convey specific meanings to other members of the species.
Unique Features of the Barred Owl Screech Call
The barred owl’s screech call has some distinctive auditory features:
- Low fundamental frequency around 500 Hz
- Harsh, raspy sound quality
- Frequency modulated with clear overtones
- Each note rapidly slides down in pitch
- Call rhythm is broken into distinct notes (not continuous)
- Notes given in groups of 2-5
- Total call lasts 1.5 to 3 seconds
These acoustic qualities give the screech its shrill, jarring character that stands out from other owl hoots. The frequency range allows it to transmit well through vegetation. Variations in the speed and rhythm of notes convey different meanings to other owls.
How the Barred Owl Screech Differs from Calls of Similar Species
The barred owl’s screech call differs from vocalizations of related owl species:
Species | Call Features |
---|---|
Barred Owl | – Descending frequency modulated notes – Distinct rhythmic notes in groups – Raspy quality |
Great Horned Owl | – Low pitch hoots (400-600 Hz) – Individual notes not strongly modulated – Smooth, booming quality |
Eastern Screech-Owl | – Whinnying trill – Continuous, even modulation – Clear, whiny timbre |
Spotted Owl | – Series of four notes – Short, resonant hoots – Lower maximum frequency |
These differences help owls distinguish calls of their own species from others they may encounter in overlapping territories. The barred owl’s screech is unique when compared to its close relatives.
The Barred Owl Screech in Native American Culture
The barred owl’s eerie vocalizations have inspired legends in several Native American tribes:
- It is called the “hooting owl” or “laughing owl” in Cherokee stories.
- Creek traditions associate it with bad luck or evil spirits.
- The Alabama name translates to “makes me sick owl” due to its disturbing cries.
- Coast Salish tribes interpreted its calls as warnings of danger or an invitation to participate in special ceremonies.
These examples illustrate how the screeching barred owl has long been a mysterious and compelling figure in indigenous culture. Its vocalizations continue to captivate modern listeners.
Conclusion
The barred owl’s signature screech serves vital functions related to territoriality, mating, predation, and communication for this highly vocal species. It peaks during certain seasons and times of night when owls are most actively calling and hunting. Specific triggers prompt screeching, but it is not always a sign of alarm. The screech has distinctive auditory features that set it apart from hoots and calls of related owls. This eerie vocalization has inspired legends among Native American tribes, attesting to its arresting quality. So while the screech may make listeners shudder, it is simply the barred owl’s way of proclaiming its presence, defending its turf, and going about essential owl business. The next time you hear this odd call piercing the darkness, take a moment to appreciate the complex biology behind it.