The barred owl has a very distinct call that has been described in many different ways by people who have heard it. Here is a quick overview of what the barred owl’s call sounds like:
Barred Owl Call Description
The most common sound made by the barred owl is sometimes described as sounding like “who cooks for you, who cooks for you aaaaaalllll”. It is a series of 8-9 hoots that get progressively louder and lower in pitch towards the end. The first part of the call sounds like “who cooks for you” and the second part drags out into a longer “aaaaalllll” sound.
This classic call of the barred owl is very easily recognizable once you’ve heard it a few times. It has a distinct rhythm and cadence to it that makes it stand out from the calls of other owl species. The entire call lasts around 2-4 seconds from start to finish.
Here are some other ways that people often describe the barred owl’s call:
- “Who’s awake? Me too.”
- “Who cooks for you all?”
- “Who, who-ah, who, whoa”
- “Who, who, who cooks for you?”
So in summary, the most recognizable barred owl call is a series of loud, rhythmic hoots that sound like “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you aaaaaalllll”. It’s a very distinct and unforgettable sound once you’ve heard it!
Audio Examples of Barred Owl Call
To really get a sense of what the barred owl call sounds like, it helps to listen to audio recordings of the call. Here are some video/audio clips that provide good examples:
- Barred Owl Call Video 1
- Barred Owl Call Audio
- Barred Owl Call Recording – from All About Birds
When you listen to these barred owl call recordings, focus on the rhythm and cadence of the call. Notice how it sounds like “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you aaaaaalllll”. The more examples you hear, the easier it will be to recognize this classic call in the wild.
Variations in Barred Owl Calls
While the “who cooks for you” call is the most common vocalization, barred owls actually have a wide variety of calls, hoots, and screams that they use to communicate. Here are some of the other noises barred owls can make:
- Fast cackling: When agitated, barred owls will make a fast staccato cackling sound. It almost sounds like crazy laughter.
- Screams: Barred owls have a high pitched scream that sounds like a crying child. They typically use this to defend their territory.
- Hoots: Softer single syllable hoots that are lower and less rhythmic than their main call.
- Gurgling coos: A gurgling “coo-OOO-oo” sound that is thought to be made by young owls.
So in addition to the main “who cooks” call, listen for other varieties of hoots, cackles, screams, and gurgles if you are trying to identify a barred owl by sound!
When and Why Barred Owls Call
Barred owls are most vocal at night, which is peak activity time for these nocturnal birds. However, they will also call and vocalize during the day, especially in the early morning hours right around dawn and dusk.
Some specific reasons why barred owls call include:
- Defending their territory from other barred owls
- Locating a mate during breeding season
- Communicating with their mate or young owls
- Warding off potential predators
Calling is an important way for barred owls to maintain their territories and interact with other members of their species. Their loud, carrying call allows them to communicate over large wooded areas at night.
Where to Listen for Barred Owls
To hear a barred owl call in the wild, your best bet is to go to a forested area that contains large deciduous or mixed woods. Barred owls prefer to nest and hunt in mature forests with large tree cavities. Here are some specific places you can listen for their calls:
- State parks, national forests, or nature preserves with forest habitat
- Riverside woods along creeks and streams
- Swampy woods and floodplain forests
- Woodlots bordering cleared agricultural fields
The barred owl has a very large range across North America. They can be found anywhere from Canada down through the eastern and western United States into Mexico. Do some research to find forests in your area that are known to support barred owls.
The best times to hear barred owl calls are:
- Early evening (around dusk)
- Late night
- Early morning before sunrise
Go to a promising owl habitat around these times, find a quiet spot to sit and listen, and you’re likely to hear the classic “who cooks for you” call of the barred owl before too long!
Conclusion
The barred owl has one of the most recognizable calls in the animal kingdom. Its loud, rhythmic “who cooks for you” hooting is an iconic sound of dark forests. Now that you know what to listen for, grab a flashlight and head out to the woods on a quiet night. Sit quietly and see if you can spot these vocal raptors and hear their calls firsthand!