The caterwauling of the barred owl refers to the loud, raucous calls that this species of owl makes, especially during breeding season. Barred owls are large, stocky owls native to North America that get their name from the vertical brown and white barring pattern on their chest and abdomen. When caterwauling, barred owls make a range of vocalizations from deep hoots to shrill, screeching calls.
Introduction to Barred Owls
The barred owl (Strix varia) is a medium to large owl native to North America. Other common names for this species include striped owl, northern barred owl, and hoot owl. Barred owls range in length from 16-25 inches (40-63 cm) and have a wingspan of 38-49 inches (96-125 cm). They weigh between 474-1016 grams (1-2.2 lbs).
Barred owls inhabit mature forests across the eastern and central United States, Pacific Northwest and the Midwestern regions of Canada. Their range has expanded west in the 1900s, likely due to human changes in forest habitats as well as a lack of competition from the closely-related spotted owl. Barred owls are now considered an invasive species in some parts of western North America.
These owls prefer to nest in the cavities of broken treetops and abandoned woodpecker holes. They are opportunistic predators and their diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice, voles, rabbits, and squirrels. They will also prey on birds, reptiles, amphibians and large insects. Barred owls are non-migratory and remain on breeding territories year-round.
Barred Owl Calls and Vocalizations
Barred owls are very vocal, especially during their breeding season between late fall and mid-spring. They utilize a wide repertoire of vocalizations for communicating with mates and delineating territories.
Some common barred owl calls include:
- Territorial hooting: A series of 8-9 deep, rhythmic hoots (“hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo”) that can carry for miles.
- Descent call: A wavering wail that descends in pitch.
- Caterwaul call: A long, variable call that rises and falls in intensity. Often described as sounding like crazed laughter or maniacal cackling.
- Begging call: Juveniles will make a raspy squeaking or screeching sound when begging for food.
- Contact call: A monotone hoot used for communicating with mates or offspring.
Meaning of Caterwauling
When referring to barred owls, the term “caterwauling” specifically describes their loud, raucous caterwaul call. This call consists of a long series of variable hoots, cackles and shrieks all strung together in a crazy, cacophonous medley.
To the human ear, the caterwaul call can sound like raucous laughter or someone crying out loudly and desperately. This is where the term “caterwaul” originates – it means to make a harsh, wailing cry, like the yowling of an angry cat.
Barred owls will make this agitated caterwauling call most frequently during late fall and winter, which coincides with their breeding season. It is thought that caterwauling serves several purposes for barred owls:
- Defending breeding territories
- Communicating with and finding mates
- Maintaining the pair bond
- Warding off potential competitors or predators
By caterwauling loudly and repeatedly, male and female barred owls are essentially shouting “This territory is occupied!” to warn away other nearby owls. If an intruder is detected, caterwauling may escalate to help drive the competitor away.
Barred owl pairs will also caterwaul back and forth to help locate each other and communicate. This vocal duetting helps the pair bond and may even help attract a mate during courtship. It also serves to coordinate the activities of the pair while defending the territory.
The caterwaul call carries far and the presence of caterwauling owls can actually help attract mates. It signals that this territory and nesting site has been successful in the past. In bird terms, it’s like saying “This is prime real estate!”
Context and Interpretation of Caterwauling
To humans unfamiliar with the barred owl’s repertoire of sounds, the caterwaul call can be quite alarming. Upon hearing raucous cackling and shrieking in the dark woods, the first instinct is something frightening like a mountain lion or a deranged person.
But to ornithologists and biologists, the caterwaul call is a well-recognized component of typical barred owl behavior. While jarring to our ears, it presents no physical threat despite its unsettling sound.
In the proper context, barred owl caterwauling signals the vibrant presence of the species and a successfully mated pair. It is mean to presage new life, not threaten it. However, caterwauling may sound and feel aggressive or intrusive if it occurs near human settlements.
When and Where Does Caterwauling Occur?
As mentioned earlier, the peak breeding season for barred owls is late fall through winter. So caterwauling primarily occurs during this time frame when pairs are forming and defending territories.
Caterwauling may start as early as October and continue through February or March. The frequency and intensity of caterwauling will decrease after eggs are laid and the female starts brooding.
Barred owl habitat ranges across many types of mature forest in North America. Caterwauling is most likely to occur in areas with high densities of barred owls, such as:
- Old growth forests with ample nesting cavities
- Riparian areas along rivers and streams
- Swamps and wooded wetlands
- Pine and evergreen forests
- Parks, golf courses and wooded suburban areas
Caterwauling is more likely to be noticed by humans in semi-rural and suburban locations as opposed to deep wilderness. But it can occur anywhere within the owl’s range where habitat is suitable.
Documented Observations of Caterwauling
There are many vivid accounts that describe the barred owl’s jarring caterwaul vocalizations:
“From the bayou’s edge across the cypress slough, the hoots of a barred owl make the October night throb with caterwauling laughter or the sobbing of a small child.” – Stanley Clisby Arthur, Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em, 1937
“We stood still and listened while the pair caterwauled back and forth with hair-raising screams, hoots, and insane laughter.” – Roy Kroll, Birds of Texas, 2009
“Sometime around midnight, the caterwauling begins. It sounds like a woman screaming in the distance punctuated by maniacal laughter closer by. Of course it’s only the neighborhood’s hoot owls.” – Laura Taylor, Pieces of Someday, 2013
These first-hand accounts highlight how unnerving the caterwaul call seems to humans. Descriptions consistently reference laughter, sobbing, screaming and a general sense of something sinister or deranged.
Yet these owls are simply communicating instinctively in their own language, oblivious to how their calls might be perceived. Documenting these reactions serves to illustrate the power of perspective and context when interpreting animal behavior.
Cultural Significance
For many Native American tribes, the owl represents death and darkness. Their nighttime voices are thought to presage doom and disaster:
“Some Lenape tribes used owl calls to predict the number of deaths in a village during the coming winter.”
“The Aztecs and Mayans depicted owls as messengers of the lord of the land of the dead and considered their calls to be ominous.”
In many tribes, mimicking or interpreting the owl’s call is thought to give shamans supernatural knowledge and powers. Even tribes with more positive owl symbolism still associate them with occult mysteries.
European culture has also ascribed superstition and malevolence to the owl’s night-time caterwauling for centuries. English folklore considered them witches’ familiars or companions to the devil.
“Their dismal screaming heard at night bodes death or some great calamity.” – William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, 1879
While modern science recognizes the barred owl’s calls as biological communication, remnants of superstitious associations with death and darkness still remain when people hear caterwauling in the night.
Impacts and Interactions with Humans
As human territories expand into the barred owl’s habitat, more people are reporting experiences with caterwauling, especially in suburbs and rural/urban interface areas. This leads to several common interactions and impacts:
- Noise complaints – Caterwauling may be perceived as a bothersome noise nuisance when nesting occurs near homes.
- Fear and unease – Many people find the unsettling sound frightening when they don’t understand the source.
- Disturbance of pets – The loud calls can agitate dogs and other outdoor pets at night.
People concerned about caterwauling should understand that the owls are not aggressive or dangerous, but simply communicating naturally. Noise and unease tend to decrease as the breeding season ends.
However, if nesting barred owls become truly problematic:
- Identify and preserve the nest tree whenever possible. The owls will eventually disperse after breeding.
- Try deterrents like removing roosting/perching sites, sprinklers or reflective tape to dissuade nesting near homes.
- As a last resort, consult officials about removing and relocating the nest.
With proper education and some tolerance, most people find living near nesting barred owls quite a unique and memorable wildlife experience.
Comparison with Spotted Owls
On the west coast of North America, similar caterwauling sounds are made by the spotted owl rather than the barred owl. Spotted owls are smaller and brown overall with white spotting. Their calls sound lower pitched than the shriller barred owl.
Unfortunately, barred owl expansion threatens the spotted owl which prefers old growth forest habitat. Barred owl dominance often forces spotted owls to abandon their territories. Efforts are underway to study and manage this complex ecological relationship.
Understanding differences between spotted owl caterwauls vs. barred owl caterwauls would help identify which species is present and monitor how they interact.
Conclusion
In summary, the term barred owl “caterwauling” refers specifically to the jarring vocalizations these owls make during their breeding season from late fall through winter. This consists of a cacophonous mix of hoots, cackles and shrieks.
Though alarming to human ears, it signifies normal communication between mated pairs to establish territories, ward off rivals and attract potential mates. Documented observations reveal how unsettling barred owl caterwauling seems to us, but it is simply part of their natural behavior.
With education and understanding, people can learn to appreciate this unique wildlife phenomenon, even when noisy barred owl neighbors roost nearby!