Hearing the eerie, wavering call of a screech owl in the dark of night can be an unsettling experience. But while their haunting cries may spook us, screech owls are fascinating birds that play an important role in the natural environment.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about screech owls calling at night:
- Screech owls make their strange whinnying cries to establish territories and attract mates during breeding season.
- Active at night, screech owls use their calls to communicate with other owls in the area.
- The quavering calls can sound disturbingly human to our ears.
- Owl calls are not necessarily a sign of danger, although they can be unnerving.
- If you hear frequent screech owl cries, it likely means there is good habitat nearby to support a resident owl.
Screech Owl Habits
To fully understand what it means to hear screech owls, it helps to know a bit more about these nocturnal birds. Screech owls are small, cunning predators that hunt at night and roost in tree cavities or nest boxes during the day. They prefer wooded areas near open fields or water where they can find plenty of mice, insects, and other small prey.
Screech owls get their name from their vocalizations, which can range from whinnies, trills, and hoots, to sinister screeches. The spookiest calls are made when they are defending nest sites or establishing territories.
Screech owls come in two color variations: gray and red. Gray screech owls are more common in the East and red screech owls are more common in the West. Screech owls are aggressive predators, even known to take down prey larger than themselves like skunks or house cats!
When & Why Screech Owls Call
Screech owls are active at night, so if you hear them calling it usually means you are listening in darkness. However, screech owls may call from their roosts early in the morning before daylight as well.
The primary reason screech owls vocalize is to establish breeding territories and attract mates in late winter and early spring. Their haunting whinnies carry surprisingly far across the landscape, allowing owls to communicate over large distances.
Calling ramps up in February and March as owls court partners, then dissipates after mating season ends. However, you may hear intermittent calling throughout the year as the birds keep in contact with their mate or check for territorial rivals.
Reactions to Screech Owl Calls
Why does hearing a screech owl trigger feelings of unease or dread in many listeners? A few factors may explain why their cries discomfort us.
An Unsettling Sound
The wavering, eerie whinnies of a screech owl naturally put us on alert. Many animals use alarm or mobbing calls to signal threats, and our brains are wired to feel apprehension upon hearing such disturbing sounds, even when made by a harmless owl.
Screech owl calls have an unnerving way of sounding human yet not quite human. This uncanny quality may make the cries seem like something to fear.
The Element of Surprise
Hearing any sudden, loud sound from the darkness can make us startle or become alert. Screech owl calls are mainly heard at night when visibility is low. The unexpected nature of the cries can heighten their spooky impact.
Associations with Night & Death
Screech owls are tied to the night, when our senses are dulled and we cannot see our surroundings well. Many humans instinctively feel vulnerable or on edge after dark. Owls also prey on mice, birds, and insects, so their calls inherently link to death.
Some folktales cast owls as an omen of death or messenger from the spirit world since they are active after dark. However, scientists debunk this myth about owls being associated with death in a literal sense.
Interpreting Screech Owl Calls
While intimidating to hear, screech owl vocalizations shouldn’t be construed as an ill omen. Their cries simply reflect their natural behavior as nocturnal birds.
Here are some constructive ways to interpret hearing screech owl calls at night:
- As a reassuring sign you live near wildlife habitat with good biodiversity.
- An opportunity to improve your bird identification abilities.
- A reminder to look and listen for more signs of owls nearby.
- A chance to dispel irrational fears or superstitions about nighttime sounds.
- A privilege to experience nature’s night music.
If screech owl cries make you uneasy, focus on their ecological role and try viewing them as charming rather than chilling. Their vocalizations can even be a welcome sound once you get accustomed to them.
Other Causes of Night Sounds
Before assuming an eerie night call is from a screech owl, consider these other possibilities:
Barred Owl
The barred owl produces the classic “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all” hoots often assumed to be screech owls. However, screech owl calls are higher pitched and more shrill sounding.
Barn Owl
This owl makes a blood-curdling scream that carries for miles. Listen for their shrieking cries emerging from barns or other buildings.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
A small but vocal owl, they make an emphatic, whistling “toot toot toot” call from brushy areas.
Mourning Dove
Their mournful cooing emanates from trees at dawn or dusk and can sound ominous.
Common Nighthawk
These birds dive erratically at night while making a loud, nasal “peent” call.
Coyote
Coyotes howl, yip, and make other eerie noises at night, sometimes resembling screech owl cries.
Cougar
Mountain lions scream, purr, yowl, or make other disturbing sounds that carry through the woods.
Fox
Foxes can produce unnerving howls, screams, and other noises under cover of darkness.
Conclusion
The next time you hear the wavering wail of a screech owl piercing the night, I hope you’ll overcome any irrational fears and appreciate the sound for what it represents. Screech owl calls are not a bad omen, rather they signify a healthy ecosystem nearby and the presence of amazing wildlife to discover.
So turn your face to the darkness and listen for these voices of the night. The thrill of hearing owls along with other fascinating nocturnal animals is a treat we can all appreciate.