Nicknamed 'screech owl', the barn owl's call is a haunting, high-pitched scream that pierces the night sky.
Identifying owl sounds
Barn owls make a high-pitched screeching sound, very different to the 'hoot' of a tawny owl. The most widespread owl species in the world, barn owls are found on every continent, except Antarctica. Not to be confused by the actual 'screech owl', a genus of owl found mainly in the Americas.
UK owls
Here in the UK, the barn owl is one of five owl species: tawny, short-eared and long-eared owls, and little owls. For such a beautiful bird, the barn owl's call is haunting: more of a screech than a call, and this ear-splitting noise has earned them the nickname screech owl - which is confusing since there is actually a species of owl known as a screech owl.
The iconic owl hoot you might hear in the trees, actually belongs to the tawny owl. In contrast a barn owl sounds like someone screaming. But despite the piercing noise they can make, they can also be deathly quiet. Barn owls rely on stealth, and make almost no sound when hunting, even their flight is almost silent thanks to specialised feathers
Understanding owl calls
Although these owls are mainly known for calls that sound like they are screaming, they do actually have a repertoire of different noises.Barn owls also make gentler, cooing noises when courting or preening one another, and a 'clacking' sound when they feel threatened. Believe it or not the males' screeching sound varies in pitch and can reach a really high pitch when trying to attract a mate - as can the female when she wants her mate to bring her some food!
During combat, owls are actually quiet. But they make a lot of noise when warning other species off their territory. Watch how quiet the battle between tawny owl Luna and Gylfie the barn owl was compared to the screeching Gylfie made to warn Luna afterwards.Although not strictly a call, barn owls will clack their beaks towards a potential threat. Listen to barn owl, Freya, clack at a stranger back in 2022.
How barn owl chicks sound
Barn owl chicks actually make different sounds depending on the age of the chicks. See if you can hear the differences. Hopefully next time you hear a barn owl, you'll understand better what they’re saying!
