Britain has five resident owl species and each one makes a different noise. Watch this to learn who's who of owl hoots.
British owls
Here in the UK, the barn owl is one of five owl species: native tawny, short-eared and long-eared owls, and little owls, which were introduced here. And if there's thing these birds have in common it's that, for the most part, their calls can sound a bit haunting. But it's not all hoots and screeches, when courting barn owls make more of a chirruping sound and tawny owls make a beautiful warbling sound.
Tawny owl sounds
The most widespread UK owl species, the tawny owl, has the best known call: the iconic 'twit-twoo'. Mostly nocturnal, tawnys also make a kee-wick sound which can sound haunting at night.
Barn owl calls
The most widespread owl species in the world, barn owls are found on every continent, except Antarctica. This owls calls are much less melodic. In fact their territorial call is more of an ear-splitting screech. The sound has confusingly earned them the nickname of screech owl - but in fact there are 22 species of screech owl and barn owl is not one of them. Again barn owls are not always screaming and when courting they sound more like they are whickering.
Long-eared owl sound
The call of a long eared owl is softer. Males use a gentle 'wooo' call and females make a higher pitched sound. A sharper noise is used as an alarm.
Short-eared owl
Unlike the other three species, short-eared owls are diurnal - which means they are more active during the day. This owl is far less vocal and is rarely heard away from its breeding ground. But the male's song of repeated hoots is worth stopping to listen to. Both male and female short-eared owls also make calls similar to barks, screams and whines when defending their nest.
Little owls
Little owls are the UK's smallest owl species, but for their size these birds pack an audible punch. Again they use soft contact calls when males and females are communicating, but their other calls are more powerful.
You usually hear an owl before you see it, so hopefully next time you hear a hoot, screech or bark, you'll know who's who!
