BirdNote Daily Owl Sounds with Becca Rowland
Oct 30, 2025
Join author and illustrator Becca Rowland, known for her book Bird Talk, as she shares her passion for the diverse calls of owls. Discover that owls make more than just the classic ‘who’! Becca vividly compares their calls to the sounds of a horse, a kazoo, and even a human scream. She unveils fascinating analogies from her book, like kettle whistles and recorders, highlighting the rich variety of owl sounds. Get ready to listen differently to these nocturnal wonders!
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Childhood Misconception About Owl Calls
- Becca Rowland recalls thinking as a child that an owl made one sound like a cow says 'moo'.
- She later learned different owls sound like horses, kazoos, or screams, which surprised her.
Owls Make Far More Sounds Than 'Hoo'
- Most people think owls make a single 'hoo' sound, but very few actually do.
- Owls produce a wide variety of noises that can sound like horses, kazoos, screams, or whistles.
Specific Owl Calls Evoke Strange Sounds
- Becca gives concrete examples: eastern screech owls sound like horses and long-eared owls like kazoos.
- She also describes the barn owl's call as a terrifying, screaming noise.
