A Comparison of Great Horned and Barred Owls: NARRATED

[@JustinWayneDawg]

I love your voice! 😅 I also am a lifelong bird observer. Falling asleep to your videos this evening!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

No one's ever told me they were falling asleep to my videos before. (And I'm glad you weren't falling asleep because of my videos.) But someone did tell me that, on account of my soothing voice, I could have a career making videos to help people sleep. Whatever. Point is that I loved your comment. Thank you, Justin.

[@gigimoore3738]

First time listening, I love your voice too, however it sounded "blurred" in spots...making it difficult to understand. Might be too close to the mic? Or a bad mic?

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@gigimoore3738 Sorry to hear you found some of the audio blurry, Gigi. I listened to it again and couldn't pick out any spots where it was hard to understand. 🤷‍♀️ I guess now you'll have to watch a few dozen of my other vids to see if the phenomenon is limited to this movie. 😉

[@gigimoore3738]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Maybe it's just me...and aged ears. 😀

[@olaleet]

I do love the way that you speak so quite and gentle. And besides I just LOVE OWLS!!! I hear them very often here in Lithonia, Georgia. Thanks for your gentle voice!! ❤

[@mcrichton46]

Growing up in Southern California in the rural areas outside of Los Angeles, we had Great Horned Owls virtually every night as most had been forced from the more developed parts of LA out towards where we lived (Thousand Oaks). Back in the early 1960s, this area was out in the sticks, and I used to sleep with my windows open in the summer and listen to the owls make their morning calls at about 6 a.m. They’re magnificent creatures, majestic in flight and when perched. The sounds of Great Horned Owls is the soundtrack of my childhood. Fantastic video and great job explaining the differences between these two beautiful birds.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Mike, I thoroughly enjoyed your description, especially your last sentence about the owl sounds being the soundtrack of your youth. I even read that part to my husband. You write well. And by the way, thanks for your kind words about the script for this movie.

[@jackiesmith2801]

Love this video. I used to have owls living in my backyard and the woods behind my yard. A year and a half ago, my new neighbor installed an extremely bright spotlight shining into my yard. Rarely hear the owls now. Have a court hearing in January. Hoping to finally get this fool to do something with his light. Wish me luck!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I do wish you luck, Jackie! Why would your neighbor want to light YOUR yard anyway? You have my sympathy.

[@jackiesmith2801]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thank you, Jo. I think he wants me to move so he can buy my property. He is a bully.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@jackiesmith2801 What a shame. We got new neighbors two years ago, and for some reason the man, who loves his fancy lawnmower took to mowing our front yard! We've returned the favor various ways. I'd hate to feel sour about the people next door. Let me know how the court case comes out.

[@jackiesmith2801]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I sure will.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@jackiesmith2801 Did your court case about the light in your neighbor's yard get settled?

[@johnfoster6110]

Your description of the barred owls “maniacal cacophony“ is right on! I am happy to have just found your channel and I am very much enjoying it. As a now completely blind person, I was once a fully cited birder. The narration. Of your videos is very much appreciated. 0:12

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

As someone blind in one eye and lacking good eyesight in the other, I've thought about how much I would hate being blind. I have trouble locating birds when I'm filming, but I revel in watching them as I match the footage to my scripts. So I thought about your situation as I rewatched a movie I made last winter about White-throated Sparrows. You have the knowledge it would take to enjoy the movie by listening and recalling what you've seen. But I'm now filming a great deal in super slow motion. Most of the flight shots in the movie about the foraging four were in slomo. I wish I could show it to you. Oh well. I just hope my narratives are lively enough and informed enough to spark your memories.

[@johnfoster6110]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME thanks very much for your reply! Your narrative is wonderful, and they do in fact, spark, many memories. I did a little binge “listening“ to your videos last night and I’m looking forward to the rest. Thank goodness for modern technology that allows me to navigate my iPhone and iPad and enjoy so many great videos on KZbin.

[@mystuff8579]

Ugh your voice is so soothing! This will be lovely to listen to at bedtime.

[@katherinemeara942]

Such an informative video. I love Barred owls. So much so that I have a tattoo of one. When I was a child in upstate NY, I used to call to them and they'd answer back.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you found the movie informative, Katherine. I learned interesting and useful tidbits in making it, like for instance, the female Barred Owl sometimes ends her call with a trill. I had heard that tremolo, but I hadn't known what it meant. Like you, I've had the experience of conversing with a Barred Owl. I smile at the memory of it.

[@lizvansickle452]

Same here....I have had conversations with both Owls!

[@reidhansen7030]

I currently have 6 schreech owls and a great horned owl on my farm in rural Nebraska. The great horned owl flies between here and 4 neighbors houses. I've been within 5 feet off him swooping down toward me as I walked in the grove. The schreech owls follow me around and coo at me when outside at night. I have only seen the majestic barn owls in town however.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I’ve experienced a screech owl swooping at my head when I imitated his call, but I’m surprised to hear that a great horned owl would do the same. I mean, he could hardly mistake you for a mouse, right? As for barn owls, 30 years ago my husband was helping feed barn owl Young who were being raised as part of a project to increase their population. I tagged along and got the only close looks I’ve ever had of them. No film or photo could possibly do their glittery plumage justice.

[@reidhansen7030]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME the horned owl was problably not swooping at me i was just at the right place at the right time...he however decimated my flock of chickens over a weeks time before i figured out what was happening...at dusk i had a few hens roosting every night on my front porch for.protection before i knew. Found chickens headless some in 2nd floor of barn. Cats had gotten to.the dead before i could investigate...so i thought they were the quilty. I often find decapitated birds in my yard...the screech owls will find safety in the thorned honey locus trees from the horned owl.Very interesting when you can observe how nature operates. I adore the companionship they give me after dark. They always know when im out at night and they interact with me

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@reidhansen7030 Everybody thinks owls are cool, but few of them have as much experience as you do with owls. I appreciated you telling me about it. I think you might find my movie about Short-eared Owls interesting because it explains a good deal about how they use hearing to find prey.

[@chrisseverin8196]

I love owls! I have a great horned living in the woods behind my house. Years ago, when I lived in Virginia I played a loud tape of barred owls in the woods. A pair flew within 10 feet of me. The male swooped close to me and then they flew off and performed what I called the "barred banshee". Very loud! I was beyond thrilled.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I wish I had thought of "barred banshee". I'd have used it in the script. I loved your story about the consequences of playing the tape.

[@chrisseverin8196]

Yes. We didn't realize it would upset them so much so we never did it again. The barred owl has so many different calls. Its fascinating.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@chrisseverin8196 Wwell, I hope you get to hear the barred banshee again, even though you're not playing the tape. It's just too.much.fun!

[@joshdelay67]

There are two in the woods behind my house too. I moved to Tennessee and tonight was the first time I’ve heard em! Now it’s past midnight and I’m watching owl videos haha.

[@chrisseverin8196]

@@joshdelay67 Cool! I live 10 miles or so from the Tennessee boarder.

[@richardborger2087]

Thank you for you video. I just spent a half hour tracking the tree a great horned is calling from - at 3:30 am! Thankfully I did not encounter any curious and confused neighbors.... love your voice, and incredible selection of adjectives. Made me smile more than once! Spine freezing, demonic duet. Pretty accurate!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks for commenting, Richard. It's a pleasure to hear from someone so curious about the owls that he's out tracking them at 3:30 a.m.--that's more than I've ever done! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and found it useful. By the way, I have some cool movies about Great Horned Owlets. Here's a compilation that might interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5KrnnltfK-Agrs

[@VannaMaeBukk]

LMAO Saaaame but it's 11;45pm && I've often "talked to the hooo hoooo's" but what I just heard behind me LITERALLY scared theeeee bajeebee outta me!! 🤣 It sounded like it was riiiiight behind me 😫🥴 I actually loved the barred owls calls... I'm excited to see what kinda owl it was I just heard...

[@ShortBusExpressions]

I always likened the Barred Owl's cacophony like they were having a party! It can be chilling to hear indeed but they're had me laughing in short order.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I like to try imitating their cacophony--when there's nobody else around. Makes me feel like a kid again. I do love their eerie racket.

[@quote_nature]

How lucky you are Jo to have a mated pair of Great Horned Owls in your backyard for so many years. That would be music to my ears at night (as opposed to the Barred). Fascinating images and vocalizations of the GHOs and you've done the Barred Owl's calls justice by including those maniacal calls and asking us to imagine hearing that in the woods at night! Thank you for sharing your knowledge as always and this wonderful film! Best regards, Cathy

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It's a pleasure to hear how much you enjoyed this movie, Cathy. I worked harder on this one than I do on most movies because I wanted to do those owls justice. I was struggling along at the beginning of last week with barely enough Great Horned Owl footage for the purpose and then they started showing up in the same perch three or four different times, giving me beautiful looks at them. All my other footage was four-five years old when I was less steady and competent with a camera. It was almost like they didn't want me representing them unless they could show their true beauty to the camera. (haha, as if!)

[@mscodex1]

Thank you for this little documentary! I was entertained and I learned things!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm delighted to hear that. I work hard on all my movies, but this one got extra special love and effort--because the owls deserve it.

[@ervinvice1521]

We had our bedroom window open one night and were awoken by the “Who cooks for you” query at pretty close range. Ever since then I have been fascinated by the barred owl. Interestingly, while hiking along a local trail I saw a sign posted by the parks department warning hikers of recent attacks on humans by a pair of barred owls who were nesting nearby. A woman suffered wounds to her face and scalp.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I wouldn't want one of them mad at me. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to have a conversation with one of them. Sometimes, if you do their call, they'll respond.

[@jimseifried8416]

Great close-ups of the beautiful owls. Thank you Jo!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

While I was making the movie, they started showing up in the same perch and giving me gorgeous footage! I was elated.

[@mouse9831]

I left my first comment because I think it's a nice way to boost videos. But the more I watch, the more I noticed and appreciate. I didn't even realize it was your own video, and not something off of the TV. You have a really wonderful, intelligent voice. I love how you credited everyone's footage so respectfully, both in the video and the description. I love the feeling that you're my own grandmother, walking me through the woods and teaching me all that you learned about these birds over the years you've been with them. I really liked the old-style poetic little descriptions you repeated, it really adds to that feeling I got through this entire thing. I have ADHD, and even though I was feeling especially agitated, your video was soothing and got me to sit down and pay attention. There was a lot of love in this video, and it deserved a little more appreciation, I felt, than a "cool vid, thanks!" So thank you. :D

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Consider yourself kissed by your grandmother for that sweet comment. I appreciated that you took the time to write all that out for me and that you were so specific about what you liked. It gave me a warm feeling to know that my video soothed your agitation. I've had a good day, but this comment might have been the sweetest part of it.

[@lillianwaldmann8037]

I havent birded for many years. Saw a GH owl overhead at Lake Tahoe and another somewhere else out west. Never a barred owl. If I wanted to learn them and know the difference between them, this couldnt have been a more perfect teaching tool. Ive learned that for life in merely ten minutes, thanks to your wonderful video. Thank you so much. I found this video after reading about the death of Barry the barred owl in Central Park NYC this weekend. (Apologies for the broken apostrophe key.)

[@bettyleeist]

These great horned owls,and the barred owls 🦉 are fantastic to watch on 🎥 film!Two thumb’s ⬆️ up!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Betsye. Those owls fascinate everybody. You might like to check out the one I did about Short-eared Owls. Even if you've never seen or even heard of these owls, the video would be worth your time because it explains how owls find their prey. And it's not how you might think they do!

[@SUPERGENKI]

Wonderful video Jo, thank you very much for sharing! Thomas

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I loved making this one, Thomas. I'm always into whatever film I'm making, but this one has a special appeal for me. I'm glad you liked it.

[@carolstella6776]

I was listening to a barred owl last night, that was in our woods! I thought it was very cool! I was hoping he was really hungry for squirrels! 🐿

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

In the daytime, squirrels for sure. I'm guessing, though, that mice would be the nighttime quarry.

[@carolstella6776]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Either way I’m happy to help him out! Just as long as he leaves the birds alone! 😬

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@carolstella6776 Well, mostly he'll eat mice, but there's a reason. birds mob him if they find him roosting during the day. They know that he's liable to empty a nest of its young if he finds one. That's the problem with predators. They're predators. 😉

[@tmaryso43williams10]

I, too, loved listening to your voice! This is the best documentary I have ever seen on owls

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you. I'll just puff out my chest and bust my buttons over that compliment. 😊 You might also like to watch my video about Screech Owls: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH6so3eHnc2BiMk

[@mollyyeah]

Hi Jo! 2 years ago I moved to Agency, Missouri. I did live in St. Joseph. So I have had zero experience with owls until these past two months. We have had barred owls on our property!! It has been amazing. I had no idea what the sounds meant until watching your video. Thank you so much for posting this information!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It's a pleasure hearing from you, Molly. I woke up at 3:00 this morning and heard a pair of barred owls calling. You know what a thrill that is. I'm glad this film was helpful.

[@mollyyeah]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME We hear them every night and I had no idea what any of the strange noises were besides "who cooks for you" until this video!!! I have 4 full grown feral cats... should I be worried about the owls getting them?? So far it's been 2 months of them living harmoniously.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

For what it's worth, Molly, I don't think you need to worry about the cats. The great horned owls have never bothered the cats in our neighborhood that I know about, and the great horned are much more aggressive than the barred owls.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Oh by the way, you might not have seen this video I put up about barred owls hunting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYvbnnZniJ5jhKs

[@mollyyeah]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thank you so much!!

[@anneweber7029]

I got 2 barred that always come back every year now or it’s a mom and baby or new ones - but they showed or had a screaming match at 3:30am and they got louder when I followed my barking chi outside

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I guess they thought you were horning in on their territory, huh?

[@pause10two4]

This was such a help. Here in west Tennessee we have woods behind our home and have listened to many isolated hoots over the years. However, At 1am on this January night I suddenly heard that cacophony and couldn’t determine if it were Great Horned or Barred owls. Now I know it is Barred owls, and they kept the conversation going for a full 30 minutes. Simply amazing. Thank you for your excellent descriptions and photography, as well as your delightful wry humor.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad I could help, and I enjoyed reading your comment. Lucky you to have heard that cacophony for half an hour. The Great HOrned Owls dominate our woods, so I've rarely heard the Barred Owls go crazy and never for more than a couple of minutes.Thanks for commenting and for praising the video.

[@yourenough3]

I've watched this video a couple of times and I know I've commented on more than one occasion but I must say this woman ( beautiful soul ) was meant to be here for the owls this was her or is her purpose . Love these videos

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you. I was pleased indeed with how this movie turned out. Might I suggest--if you haven't already watched it--the one I did about Short-eared Owls (because you'll learn fascinating info about how owls hunt).

[@setapart6937]

A few nights ago I had the privilege of hearing a male and female Great Horned Owl performing their territorial call right outside our bedroom window. They called for about 15 minutes. Never been happier to be woken up from my sleep at 3 AM. Owls are one of my favorite species because they are so secretive and yet when you do get to hear or see them it brings you so much joy and excitement. Excellent video!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I totally get it--the pleasure at being awakened at 3 a.m. by owls. I hope you get the experience more than once. And thank you for the kind words about my video. I have bunches of them about Great Horned Owls, like for instance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3unmWt9a5emo6c

[@spiderstheythem]

The barred owl was the first owl i've ever seen/heard! She was on a fence only a few feet away from me; I was so excited to see her! I live in the Seattle area, so i can confirm they're hanging out here :)

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Interesting. And lucky for you! Two summers in a row, my husband located a Barred Owl in our woods and called me down there to film it. It was surprisingly tolerant of me. If you check out the movie I did about that (kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYvbnnZniJ5jhKs), you'll see that it let me stick around while it hunted. So, are you calling her "she" because you heard a tremolo in the call? Or just because they look alike and it could be either sex?

[@emilybrackett9571]

What a great video 😊. I’ve been hearing a pair of Great Horned Owls 🦉 every evening/night and also right before dawn 😉 for a while now. My dad, who lives a few houses up from me. He said he hasn’t heard a Great Horned Owl here in a long time. He said it was a Barred Owl and I argued and said no I don’t think so. So last night while I was taking my dog out I had my porch lights on and my outside light on my little utility building and out of the corner of my yard a very large Great Horned Owl 🦉 swooped down from the top portion of my White Oak Tree literally inches from the top of my head and grabbed a field mouse 🐁 that was eating the bird seed that had fell on the ground from my birds eating at the bird feeder. I was sooo impressed because I didn’t hear her (I am assuming it was a female because of the size) and the gracefulness of her catching the mouse. And then she silently flew away, and in the background (less than 30-40 yards) her mate was hooting 😂!!! So I called my dad and told him to go outside and listen. He was delighted to hear the hooting off in the distance. I told him I got to observe her catching a field mouse. Which I would say not everyone would ever get to watch this event take place in their own back yard. It was magnificent to watch and I feel lucky to have witnessed this from such a beautiful creature 😉. My poor little Mountain Feist, Midnight, was so confused as to what had happened, I’m guessing because she didn’t hear her flying down from behind us 🤣🤣🤣.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

WHAT A PRIVILEGE FOR YOU!! Neither one of us has ever seen anything like that, and we'd love to. I enjoyed hearing about it and read your comment to my husband. Glad you enjoyed the movie. I've got a bunch of them about Great Horned Owlets both in the nest and after they fledge. You might want to search for Great Horned Owlets Jo Alwood.

[@kristenlandon796]

Did you tell your dad, “I told you!” 🦉 😂

[@emilybrackett9571]

@@kristenlandon796 ohh yeah he was speechless. He has lived in the same area his entire life, he said that it has been 20 plus years since he had heard a Great Horned Owl 🦉 around here. My Dad is a hard man to “get over on” and for this event Dad=0 Me=1 😂. And just to update I am assuming it’s the same pair since in nature the only true enemy of owls are humans. The same (I assume) pair of Great Horned Owls are hunting in my yard often (I am assuming the field mice are abundant because of my bird feeder) there are also a lot of rabbits. I have not witnessed another event like I did that night but I do hear and see them often. There is also a pair of Western Screetch Owls 🦉 close by. I love hearing the thrills of the Screetch Owls it’s really beautiful.

[@emilybrackett9571]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME thank you so much for sharing with your husband. I will never forget it, I truly wish that I could have filmed it, lol. It happened so quickly within I would say 2 maybe 3 blinks of an eye and she was gone, nothing but silence. I really enjoy them. There is 🚧🦺 (a new house development) underway right now that’s less than a 1/2 of a mile away from my house. I hope and pray 🙏 that the construction 🚧 🦺 doesn’t force the owls 🦉 out or force them to a new location, meaning both pairs The Great Horned Owl 🦉 pair and the Western Screetch Owl 🦉 pair. I have not the slightest idea of where either pair nest at. I just hope that it doesn’t interfere with them. I did check out your other videos they are great 😉 keep up the great work.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@emilybrackett9571 I too hope your owls aren't about to get kicked out of their territory. Thanks for the compliment on my videos. Right now, I'm filming dragonflies and hummingbirds in super slomo. Wait'll you see what stunning footage a camera built for that kind of filming can produce! It'll be at least a month before either one of them is up.

[@lilliputlittle]

This was most excellent, Ms. Alwood.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you. Its kind of you to tell me so.

[@kathleenmcdonnell977]

I really enjoyed this. I live up against a large wooded area and often hear the calls of owls and wondered what type of owl made the calls. Now I know! Thanks.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Oh, Kathleen, I love hearing that! Enjoy them. This is the time of year to hear them. We're hearing the Great Horned Owls every night.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I forgot to ask: which one have you been hearing? Or do you need to hear it one more time now that you've seen this movie?

[@jailbreakoverlander]

I just put up my one and only owl video yesterday on the barred owl.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I watched it. Good job of building expectations. Your camera work and editing in the footage of your Jeep is unusual among amateurs.And you did get your beautiful footage of the Barred! I filmed him last summer and the summer before in the woods behind our house--had the same experience you did, too, in that he didn't care that I was there! He was hunting, and he didn't let me distract him. I posted a movie about that experience two weeks ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYvbnnZniJ5jhKs

[@jailbreakoverlander]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Im learning to A use cameras as they were intended, then how to edit together. hopefully it will all get better. Thank you for such a prompt reply. your timing on this video was uncanny to say the least.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Not THAT is a perceptive compliment. I record and re-record a lot until the intonation and the timing match ... something in my head. I know when it finally sounds right.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

And I should have added in the comment I just posted that you succeeded at using a camera as it was intended and then editing the shots together. I don't do as much of the former as I might because my camera angles are pretty much dictated by the animal. I'm at his mercy and just grateful to get any shot at all. But editing, now I find that fascinating. Apparently you agree.

[@jailbreakoverlander]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME i got the great horned sort of video is up

[@andrewb.glisnin2266]

Jo thank you for your work here. I have a pair of great horned owls living in neighborhood have yet to find them. Seen one fly over once I can hear them all through the day. Working on building a nesting box for them now.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

It’s a privilege just to know you have them in the neighborhood, right, Andrew? This year we thought our resident great horned owls had had a failed nesting, but a week and a half ago two owlets that looked about four or five months old showed up in the dead sycamore at the edge of the woods that backs onto our yard. They were hooking claws and grooming each other’s claws! I had never seen that before. That will be my next movie up: stay tuned. And by the way, thanks for your encouraging words.

[@violina48]

Hi Jo, indeed a great owl! Very beautiful share! I love owls! Warm greetings, Annemieke

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Annemieke, I put my heart, my best effort, into this movie because the owls deserve it! And I can see that it appealed to you a great deal. Thank you for letting me know that.

[@woodsonjane]

We had barred owls at our backyard for almost a decade. This year we started to hear different calls instead. Just realized it’s great horned owl after watched your video, thank you!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Well, the GHOs won't give you the maniacal cackling that Barred Owls did--and I envy you that experience--but enjoy them. Ours have been here fourteen years. Yours might stay awhile.

[@woodsonjane]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Yes, barred owls are nature vocal talents among birds, we miss them already.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@woodsonjane Given a choice, I'd trade for a pair of Barred Owls. Since I haven't been given a choice, I'll just enjoyed the Great Horned pair.

[@tintrach]

I have a barred , great horned owl and northwest spotted owl that serenade me often,,,,all at the same time. Do they call to each other as a territorial thing or do they call in a tolerant co-habitating kind of way? I'm in Oregon outside of PDX.

[@TheWonderPieceCollection]

I love this informative video with the lovely storybook voice. Beautiful.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a sweet compliment! Thank you.

[@chinodef55]

This video was so helpful and calming. I now know without a shadow of doubt, that we have a female Barred Owl in our back woods. She's been around for the past 7yrs

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

The only way to know for sure that it’s a female would be by hearing the tremolo, which, no doubt, you did. Now that you have that question answered, it’s time to relax and enjoy her calls. I’m glad you found the movie helpful.

[@beverlywilliams-tg3fs]

Thank you Jo Alwood, I heard a noise the other night, and live alone. I turned down the volume on the tv. I wasn't sure what I was hearing, now, thanks to you, I know what I was listening to was a Barred Owl, I heard grunting, and thought there was an ape or most likely a chimp involved in this noise I was hearing, that didn't make sense to me, unless a primate had escaped from a zoo somewhere. I just got home from work, and I heard the noise again, and it popped in my head to check for owl calls! You nailed the noise I heard the other night I had no idea what I was listening to, it was scary!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Scary, yeah! As I said, in the movie, worse than the jungles of Borneo. I’m glad you thought to look up owls.

[@donnadee2934]

So educational and enjoyable

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you, Donna. I have lots of other owl movies if those interest you.

[@chrishardman586]

This is so interesting and narrated so beautifully.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Now there's a compliment I loved to read! Thanks, Chris. I find it easy to be interesting when the subject of the movie is so spellbinding.

[@SarahGKing]

I love your videos, not only for the wonderful information on birds, owls, etc. But also for the fact your voice is soooooo soothing and captivating!! You are the Queen of unintentional ASMR!! 👑🦅🦉🐦🕊🦆

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I had to look up ASMR, Sarah, to find out what kingdom (queendom?) I reign over. The funny part of that is that I had such serious laryngitis last summer that I had to have surgery twice and I’m now doing daily vocal exercises, all just to get my voice well above a whisper. Anyway, thanks for the lovely compliment.

[@SarahGKing]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME you are so very welcome, hopefully when you looked up ASMR it wasn't the kind of ASMR videos like the eating mukbangs ha ha!! I enjoy the good kind of ASMR that's actually relaxing, like a soothing voice; such as yours! Laryngitis can be so frustrating and I'm glad you've gotten past it. Thank you for all your hard work on your videos, I enjoy each and every one of them! 💙

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@SarahGKing Okay, I looked up mukbangs, and if that had been what I watched, I would have taken offense at your comment. 😏 But no offense taken--and certainly no offense over you saying that you love all my videos. Hurrah for that sentiment and thank you.

[@SarahGKing]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME awww, you're so very welcome and I appreciate you replying!! You do great work! 👍🏻🕊🐦🌻

[@arbedreka]

Fascinating!! I love watching and learning from your videos!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

This one is one of my faves--lots of good info in it.

[@Shelby2880]

Excellent, descriptive writing and your soothing voice in your narratives makes your videos both enjoyable and informative. I thought I heard a great horned owl just before dawn today, so I searched for a refresher course to make sure I wasn’t hearing a barred owl. Your video was perfect.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks for commenting, Shelby. Glad the video helped you ID the call for sure. I hope someday you get to hear the Barred Owl’s crazy cacophony.

[@dwightmansburden7722]

Screech owls are cute little nightmares, their weird calls can be spooky. I got to hear a protracted territorial or courtship battle back and forth with several great horned owls in the giant old elm trees on my property; this took place on a very foggy and abnormally warm New Years Eve. It’s pretty impressive how loud they are up close! I have barred owls as well. Being so close to the river, all of them like hanging out and rap battling each other lol 😂

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

"Rap battling each other?!" Love it!

[@Missrenee21]

I watched this video before going to bed yesterday evening, around 10pm. I wake up around 3am to a sound that I feel I’ve heard before. Well to my surprise it was the Barred Owl. I just moved to my current home last summer and was told there have been owls, but I had not seen or heard anything like it before. I actually thought at first it was my husband slightly snoring, but it wasn’t. Lol. Always enjoy your videos. 😊

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Your comment was a perfect way to start the day! I even read it to my husband. It's just the kind of reward I want for this movie. Thanks for telling me.

[@MHarenArt]

Super video! It's on my Birding bucket list to find some owls around here. I know we have some, I just have to find out where to look. Thank Jo! Fun to watch!!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you, Maggie. Those owls don't make it easy to see them, that's for sure. I wish you luck, and if you do get to see them, let me know!

[@MHarenArt]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thank you! I will!!

[@krystapowles556]

I just heard a horned owl and a screech owl establishing territory outside at 5am. Your videos helped me to identify them based on their calls because I couldn't see them. We live in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. Thank you!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You're welcome, Krysta, and thanks for letting me know how the video helped you. That's cool that you're getting both kinds of owls.

[@barbiemiller9359]

Thank you for this. I heard an owl for the first time on our farm and I couldn't place which owl I was hearing. Great Horned it is! So happy we have one in our neighborhood.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

And I thank you for telling me that the film was useful to you, Barb. Those Great Horned Owls are a treat. Do you have just one owl or a mated pair?

[@feistywoman123]

I just heard a Barred Owl outside. I was by myself and was wondering what in the world that sound was! It sounded like the bark and cackle of the female in this video! At first i thought it was was coming from my chicken coop. I was wondering what the heck are they doing in there?! Haha! 😆 Then i realized it was coming from a bit further away. I then thought it was a human making these bizzare noises... Then a few clear hoots came out and i was determined to figure out what kind of owl makes these crazy noises! Thank u for this video! U helped solve my mystery 😉 I love owls! 💕 I am a nite owl myself 🌙

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I smiled as I read your experience, Mandy. That was funny. Oh and hey, you could google owls and Alwood--if you'd liked to see some more. I just heard our resident Great Horned Owls at dusk when I stepped outside for aa moment. It's just nice to hear them.

[@schatzip]

Ah! You just helped me to figure out what type of owl was outside my bedroom window last night. The Great Horned Owl! We have noise dampening windows, but let me say they did not dampen the sound of the owl! (For which I am grateful! - such a beautiful call!). We are researching nesting boxes for the owls - pretty excited about this project.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I wish you had gotten the owl box up a couple of months ago, Schatzi, (it's too late for this season) because having them in the neighborhood is a source of contentment--and, for us, curiosity and fascination. I didn't know anybody made owl boxes for the Great Horned. If you find out that they do, please let me know.

[@pamelakern2849]

I love owls !! I loved this fascinating video. The owl's hoots are music to my ears. 🎶

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Music to your ears for sure, Pamela: kazoos and bassoons! And they are so imposing to look at. When that Great Horned aims those laser eyes my way, I freeze.

[@pamelakern2849]

I just love the who cooks for you ringing through the trees . I am thinking of the pleasant sounds an owl can make . Owls sure can make eerie silly sounds too.!! Great Horned owls have such lovely coloration. The feathers are a mix of rich shades and patterns. 💓💓

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you said that, Pamela, about the rich shades and patterns of the Great Horned. I spent many hours editing this movie and appreciating the lovely colors of the GHO. There's one shot that shows him partially lift his wing, giving us just a peek at the plumage under there--so different looking from the outer plumage. It was mildly hypnotic working with film of such beautiful birds. And you're so right about the eerie, silly sounds. Try imitating them sometime--especially that cacophony! It'll make you feel like a kid again.

[@pamelakern2849]

☺️

[@nancysgroi9490]

Thanks you for this video. Woke to Barred owls just outside my window. Was enough to wake me in terror until I realized what the calls were from. This information was very, very helpful.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I always like hearing that one of my videos actually turned out to be useful for someone. Thanks for commenting, Nancy.

[@tiffanybrantley23]

oh, i just loved this! I've had an owl hanging around my barn lately. Looks like a great horned, with the yellow eyes, but smallish, so maybe young (?) or a screech owl, but he/she is more brown-based than grey, and I hear them often in the area (we have so many rabbits here that it's got to be like a buffet for the owls), but I must also have some barred owls nearby because I most definitely have heard the question "Who cooks for you?"

[@bettelovelace4456]

So happy I found this 👏👏I love birds and you narrated so well .. I throughly enjoyed your video💜

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you for the generous compliment, Bette. If you haven't already done so, I hope you'll subscribe because that would give you access to all my movies. I publish every other Tuesday, so if you click the bell, you'll be notified when a new one is up. You sound like just the kind of person I make these movies for.

[@Caliphane]

I just found your videos jo and love your style. Thank you for the videos and the great information!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm happy to hear from a new fan, Chris. I'm addicted to making these videos, so I want to know that people are enjoying them. Thanks for commenting,

[@smiley3012]

The juvenile barred owl sounds wild.

[@rfrolicarts]

This video is so soothing. I love all owls, but I think barred owls are especially pretty. Their eyes are so soft.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

And I find them to be less shy than other owls.

[@crystalcurtis3176]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME 👍 YES. My Barred-owls ( yes I call them mine..lol) Lyle and Lydia are so and communicative and just so awesome they land next to me on the fence all the time, chat it up and catterwal . I put a tub out by my Sycamore with water in it last summer with some floating balls they had such a blast we play with the ball very seldomly but they do it sometime

[@crystalcurtis3176]

I see them as gifts from my mother in heaven who is always supporting me and my desire to work with birds especially owls and bird of prey she's the only one that kept me from fully giving up on it when I did

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Soft eyes. Yes.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@crystalcurtis3176 I am impressed that you have made such friends with those owls! We’ve had a great horned pair in our neighborhood for 14 years now. They don’t want to be friends! The most I could say is that they seem to recognize us and are fairly tolerant. Seeing them play with That ball in the water, man! That would be so super cool to see.

[@katiekane5247]

My N. Georgia neighborhood has big lots, loads of trees & some open lots. I hear a few different calls as they move around from forest pocket to forest pocket. I'm near Amicalola Falls, still room for nature here!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

That is your good fortune, Katie. Although we live in the suburbs of St. Louis, there's a good sized tract of woods behind us that runs for close to half a mile. So we can be sure of having owls. I love it!

[@eatwhatukiii2532]

This is wonderful. I have them at my house. Both great horns and their noisy neighbors the barred owls. I have photographed both species in my neighborhood. It’s true the barred owls are more active in the daytime but I’ve seen the great horned owl on several occasions watching over a field from a tree just up the road. The barred owls watch me doing night chores from the roof of my house, sitting up there all creepy-like when I spot one. Sometimes three, four, or more will get together in the woods behind the house for a loud “conference”, LOL. I’ve recorded them a few times, so I might end up posting it at some point.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Now you are someone who knows those owls! Yes, I've seen the Great Horned Owls during the daytime plenty of times. (That's how I got the film!) But I was impressed with how close the Barred Owl would let me get to him when he was hunting in daylight.

[@mattmcwilliams7476]

Great stuff, Jo! We have enough woods and area around and behind our house to have both her in eastern Kansas. So far, they seem to tolerate each other.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Lucky you, to have both species, Matt. I'm jealous--and pleased for your sake.

[@13skimmons]

Thank you for this very informative video! I now know that it’s a Great Horned Owl outside my bedroom window announcing his presence and not a Barred Owl.

[@WalkenDead]

Gonna be completely honest here, I looked this up because I was sitting here on my computer when I heard a strange noise outside my window. Listened for a minute and decided it had to be some kind of owl. I just spent 30min listening to different owl calls and I'm pretty sure it was a barred owl, at least 2 as I could hear an answering call in the distance. Went outside to see if I could get a visual, but they were gone by the time I got out there

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I hope they come back. Those owls can be awfully hard to spot, but they're not hard to hear.

[@shawnaradcliffe78]

Very informative. Your voice was a pleasure to listen to.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you for the compliment, Shawna, and for taking time to comment.

[@BeckVMH]

I’d moved to a new residence and had several barred owls nearby. 7:15 I heard this sound around 1am and thought monkeys were loose in the area. Called wildlife the next day and was assured there were no monkeys and later found recordings of barred owls solving the mystery. Barred owls are my favorite of bird calls. Edit: A pair of GHO have now taken over the area as I never hear the barred owls. Do still enjoy the GHO.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

What a great story! I enjoyed it so much that I read your comment to my husband. Your reaction to that jungles of Borneo cackling just made so much sense to both of us. We’ve had the same great horned owl male in our woods for 16 years now. His mate is currently in the nest with a hatchling or two. Her mate has gotten pretty tolerant of us. I’ve been in the woods filming this morning, and I walked within 30 or 40 feet of him three times. He watched me, but he didn’t leave. Sometimes I wish we had the barred owls, but how can I complain about having that majestic creature staring at me?

[@BeckVMH]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thanks. I'm in NE FL. I was able to get my first view and video of one GHO perching in the woods behind my house last week at 8am and 430pm. Just happened to see it fly in although VERY hard to find with my camera zoom later. Perhaps there's a nest in the area as I've heard two calling, but comes/goes every 2 weeks or so for several days. Thank you for your time and videos.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@BeckVMH It would be odd if they're not nesting now. This is the time, at least in Missouri. I don't know for sure whether Florida would be different. I've filmed Great Horned Owlets many times, and they're usually out of the nest by mid-March (six weeks after they hatch). I hope you get to see one or two of them. If so, you can type Great Horned Owlet Alwood into the YT search box and find a slew of movies about them.

[@BeckVMH]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thank you so much.

[@deanevangelista6359]

I have barred owls living in the woods behind my house. I love the screeching of the juveniles as well as the “who cooks for you” call of the adults. When I take walks on summer nights, they almost seem to follow me around.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Have you tried having a conversation with them? They'll often respond if you speak their language.

[@geoffreyshuen9992]

Wonderful. Nicely put together.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'm glad you appreciated it, Geoffrey. I was very thankful to have your footage in it, including that split second when the owl took off!

[@kitmarlowe2889]

I love owls. I feel a kindred spirit with the great horned. I feel quite amaranthine when they are near. They have the most beautiful and hypnotic eyes.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I am a retired English teacher, but you sent me to the dictionary with “amaranthine”. Can’t say the owls give me that sensation, but I do love a good close look at any of them. Since you’re a kindred spirit with them, does that make you predatory? 😉

[@kitmarlowe2889]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME ha. There's just something about their sound that relaxes me. Though they are predatory birds, I find something quite noble about them. I find it interesting that you mention your English background. I have an MA in English Lit. You should read, "The Owl and the Nightingale."

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@kitmarlowe2889 I have my MA as well and know enough to figure that your background in English explains your screen name. (Shakespeare would be too obvious, right?)

[@kitmarlowe2889]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME ah. Indeed. You would be 100% correct. I am a Marlovian. The world, it sees a crackpot theoried crow touting his words to ears that never hear. And though stalwart, I realize and I know that all whom read those works will see "Shakespeare."

[@TSUNAMI-MAMI]

More videos please Jo!!! You’re so talented and your voice is amazing

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you for the generous compliment. I have a 16 minute movie in super slomo about dragonflies almost ready to post. Guess what's slowing me down? Laryngitis. ☹️

[@kathyockaskis2949]

I adore your video and plan to watch more. It is December in Michigan and I can hear the duet of the Great Horned Owls from inside my home in the evening. I’ve been looking to see them through the window. Do you have any suggestions for how to find them? If I bundle up and head outside, would they be scared off or would that increase my chances of seeing them?

[@lizvansickle452]

We have both owls here in my area....although tonight, I heard the Great Horned Owl....I have not heard one of those in 3 yrs or longer!! Wonderful surprise ...

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

We're the other way around. We get the occasional visit from a Barred Owl, but the Great Horned is here all the time. Wish we could have them both all the time.

[@Crazy-Horse-Tx.]

I have Great Horned Owl that has been coming to this light pole in front of my home every night and hoots exactly at 230 am for 2 weeks now. He or she ( more than likely) is huge . Our people believe it is a warning of death is near to me or someone in my life . I believe this owl is my guardian. Keeping eyes on watch while I close my eyes to rest .

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Whatever you choose to believe--that they're warning of death or guarding you--they're impressive, fierce creatures.

[@Rocketman88002]

I think the Great Horned owl just said, "How dare you say we're similar to the Barred owl!" "Whooo gives a hoot."

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Rene Melendez yes, Rene, I imagine great horned owl‘s would take umbrage at being compared to their wimpier cousins.

[@glennhynes5263]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I appreciate the compliment, Glenn.

[@debramaione6585]

What a great video I really enjoyed watching it and listening to you 🤗

[@tshoelace]

We were thinking that it was an owl (of some humongous size) that attacked our cat several years ago. The calls we heard in the back yard are SPOT ON with the Barred Owl calls you gave us. Especially that tremello-purr sound at the end of the females call.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Aw well, If you heard that tremolo at the end, that’s a dead on identifier. I’ll bet youre feeling pretty proud of yourself, and I’m feeling proud of myself for helping you get there.

[@smith8281]

We have great horned owls hooting in the woods behind our house all the time. I saw what I’m pretty sure was a great grey owl fly across my back yard. Dead silent and huge with a face the size of a dinner plate Wing span was about 4’. Was about 10’ above the ground.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You live in Minnesota or somewhere in that latitude? I live in Missouri and don't ever expect to have the experience you described with a Great Grey. Were you close enough to see its eyes?

[@ShakespeareCafe]

You’re lucky as hell to see one. I heard the barred owl in San Francisco and have at least four great horned owls at my house in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Palo Alto. I’ve only seen one at night through my binoculars sitting on a dead oak at full moon. Again seeing an owl in daylight is exceedingly rare

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

We've got woods behind our house, as I assume you do too if you get the Great Horns. As for being lucky seeing the Barred Owl, I have my husband to thank. Two summers in a row he found one perched (and hunting) down there and called me to bring my camera. He spsends a lot more time in those woods than I do.

[@RedBeard0924]

Wonderful video. Thanks so much for sharing. I see barred owls all the time on my farm in north florida but I’m still waiting to see my first great horned owl. One day. 🤞

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Sorry to be so slow answering. I'm out of town and really busy. But I appreciated your comment and wanted to get back to you if only to wish you luck with getting to see, or at least hear, a Great Horned Owl.

[@debramaione6585]

I really enjoyed this video all the different calls I learned a lot about the two different owls thank you for that 👍🦉🦉🦉💖

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks for telling me so, Debra. I work hard on every film I make, and I want them to be useful. Here's hoping you explore my channel a bit. There's lots of useful content there.

[@jeremiahshine]

I found a baby Barred Owl once. I had a friend who had gotten me taking fresh road kills to Miloo, the Patron Saint of Wounded Raptors. She took him in to nurse until big. I never was invited to the release.🤨

[@reyknudson7091]

I would like to add, EXCELLENT VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY!THANKS FOR SHARING! R.K. 4/20/2022.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I like hearing “excellent“ applied to my work. Thank you for commenting, Rey.

[@theslimeylimey]

What a wonderfully presented video. We have barred owls here in our yard often so I made them a sturdy nesting box which I put up a couple days ago. Being 20ft up a ladder with a fear of heights plus a 40lb box hanging over my head is not my idea of fun :) I just heard that monkey like cacophony between a couple that didn't sound too fond of each other and wasn't sure if it was between 2 barred owls or a great horned because of 5 hoots instead of the usual call. But thanks to your video, im pretty sure its just barred owls arguing.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

👍😊

[@pratttexier]

I just turned 40 and just now started to put in the dedication to studying and photograph the stars and almost got hit in the head by a barred owl while filming the moon, as it flew around the corner of the house and i was looking right at it and it really took my breath away ever since i have been absolutely obsessed with this creature always have but now its an obsession lol, even have an owls foot on an olive branch coming from skull tattooed on my arm. It sounds weird but it makes sense i promise lol . Owls and nature has been a tremendous help with my PTSD. Sorry I wrote so much but your voice and your knowledge on these videos si helpful and calming and please don't stop making these ma'am lol. Thank you.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Well, that was fun to read about. No need to apologize for the long comment. I promise not to stop making them if you promise to keep watching. Deal? (Though I must add a caveat: I'm 81. So who knows?)

[@pratttexier]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME 81 ma'am you don't look a day over 80 lol I'm kidding your beautiful inside and out and yes ma'am we absolutely have a deal ❤️ God bless you ma'am .

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

@@pratttexier not a day over 80, huh? Loved it!

[@alessandroromano1294]

Thank you for the video! Direct comparison to another probable geographic match will help me on my hikes in Missouri.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

You’re welcome, Alessandro. And in fact, most of the footage in this video was taken in Missouri.

[@debramaione6585]

I love the calls of owls 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉♥️

[@zero44mag]

Another great video!! Thank you 😁

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I tried to reply to your comment when you posted it, but once in awhile the channel gets stubborn and won't let me!??? But today I found another way to answer comments like that--and a chance to thank you for your compliment.

[@zero44mag]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME much love always a Joy to hear from you. It makes me smile.

[@6061lucky]

I to am a owl lover. I have a pair of barrel owls living around me. Moving from Washington state there to North Carolina. One night I was sure that escape monkeys were in the woods . lol Thanks for your video and keep your eyes and ears searching .

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks for commenting and letting me know the video helped you out. We seldom get the Barred Owls because the Great Horned Couple (I hear the male hooting as I type) make the Barred Owls unwelcome. But I miss the chance to converse with them. You should try it. They often answer if you do their hoot.

[@SumptuousMeat]

Ahhh finally the search for who was in my Sequoia out back is over. There's a nesting pair of great horns. Their chicks are hilarious with their calls for Mom & Dad to bring dinner.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I know what you mean about the chicks’ calls. I have only heard them when the nestlings have fledged, and what I hear is spooky croaking. I don’t know whether I’ve posted any films of the owlets where you can hear that, just can’t remember for sure. But I will say that I’ve posted a number of videos about their owlets, and if you’ll type great horned owlet Alwood into the search box, they’ll pop up.

[@momsmushroomsjodyfoster5786]

I saw a large pure white owl with dark eyes sitting in a pine tree near my home in West Michigan. What type do you think it was thank you

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

That would be a Snowy Owl. We only get them rarely here in Missouri, and I envy you the chance to see them.

[@hobesmcgee]

Excellent video/sound/narration - thank you :)

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I'd say "video/sound/narration" about covers it. I appreciate the all encompassing compliment.

[@marilyncornell2194]

The great horned owl is so beautiful

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

True.

[@ZachDrake5960]

I've heard both at my house.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

We have too. And we always feel lucky that it's so.

[@mouse9831]

This is such a cool video, thank you for making it :D

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks you. Making it was my pleasure. Check out this other owl movie. If you liked this one, then ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5KrnnltfK-Agrs

[@ajlong404]

This is excellent!

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you, AJ.

[@ajlong404]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME, you're welcome. I actually watched it two times in a row. 😆

[@stevecummins7834]

I too like the clarity of diction the lower tonality and unhurried, unpressured delivery. This gives the air of professionalism and unhurried quality that comes with intimate knowledge of the subject material. I guess this means I must subscribe to your channel for both the content and delivery style of your presentations. I live in South Kansas City, close to the Blue River Parkway at Red Bridge and Holmes. There are a lot of Barred Owls in my neighborhood, probably because of the close proximity to the Blue and the old growth Burr Oaks?. When I go for walks along the river I will come across some huge cottonwood trees, sycamores and several oak species that look to be in the 80-100 year old range, but to me the vast majority of all the trees that line the west side of the river corridor are less than I am guessing here 35 years old. Do you have any thoughts about why this could be? Your narrative account on the Barred and Great Horned owls has cleared up a lot questions I have had about the "Satanic" verbal exchanges that take place all the time around my house. You are correct about it being unnerving. Sometimes when I am working alone in the dark finishing up some backyard chore all of a sudden 12 feet over my head first one will tune up, then a short while later another will respond fifty feet away and a cacophony of sounds will erupt between them. It sounds like what I would more expect to hear in a tropical rainforest in Brazil than in a otherwise sedate Midwest suburb. The degree of intensity is what gets me. I feel like I am caught between two invisible combatants locked in a heated exchange. Very loud voices breaking the otherwise silence of the dark. The power in their voices makes them seem huge and very scary sounding like I should be running for cover for trespassing in their disputed territories. Have you done an expose on the red tail hawk? In the fall I hear what I think might be a juvenile red tail screeching out his lonesome song as he circles way overhead. I never see two like a paired couple, just one circling around screeching like he has lost something or is it someone? Did mummy and daddy kick him out of the nest to fend for himself?

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thanks for the generous compliment about my style and professionalism, Steve. As for your question about the trees in your area being mature enough for them, I imagine any wooded area--with MICE--would do. That's my guess. What I know for sure is that you can sometimes converse with a Barred Owl if he does his eight-hoot. Just repeat it back to him, and he's likely to respond. As for the Red-tailed Hawk, no, I haven't done a video about them.My experience with them calling is that if I hear one of them, I'll hear two. Your lonely Red-tail is an anomaly.

[@stevecummins7834]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Dear Ms Alwood, thank you for responding to my inquiry about the screeching hawk. Is there any other hawk that screeches in a long drawn out way, starting very high then tapering off then it will start low and go back up but with a different range and tonality, this is the lonesome sounding part like he is looking for home and cannot find it. thank you. Can you direct me to a website that has the sounds of what ever you think it could be? If I had more raptor bird sounds under my belt I could do a lot better job of describing it.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I asked my husband about your question since he knows far more about birds than I do. He suggested that you Google the calls of the red tail and the red shouldered hawk. The red shouldered gives a series of calls while the red tail gives one long call. But at least hearing them online should help you identify for sure what you’re getting.

[@jewelleryaddict]

For 20 plus years on almost 3 acres have heard these calls so often. Have always tried to distinguish which is which and is it mating or for territory? And which owl is making the sound we hear. We really enjoy them and I try to mimic their calls when I am outside not sure what the neighbors think. Hope they are to far away to hear me. We both love their call and miss them when nites are quiet. Live Midwest Illinois. Great video, love the pictures and calls helped a lot.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I apologize for being slow to respond. I've been out of town. You don't live all that far from us then. We're in St. Louis. We've been hearing both the Great Horned Owls every night and even in the daytime for the last month, sometimes in the Pin Oak right next to the house, They are a treat to hear and see, and I'm looking forward to this year's owlet(s).

[@lesaboo4740]

Wonderful video as always Jo ♥️♥️

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Thank you, Lesa, especially for the "as always" part.

[@DamonNomad82]

Owls have always been my favorite kind of bird. I see them occasionally, but the first time I had an opportunity to see one fairly closely in person was when I was guarding a construction site overnights, and saw a great horned owl flying and perching in several places around and near the site. I wonder if small prey animals had been driven from their homes by the construction and their potential as a food source drew the owl there. The only other wildlife I observed at the site was a red fox, which was timid and ran away as soon as it noticed me watching it.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

We get the occasional fox, and like you, I've noticed that they're much more skittish than the owls are.

[@brandonchung661]

There was at least one barred owl in my yard. The sound freaked me out. There was also an eastern screech out hanging out near my chicken coop one night.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Some people never get to see an owl. You're one of the lucky ones, Brandon--if you consider having an owl hanging around your chicken coop lucky.

[@mohunter68]

Thank You for this video. Owls are one of the many gifts that our Creator blessed us with and I Love to listen to them. As a hunter/fisherman/outdoorsman I've spent countless hours in the woods and on the water Barred owls are my favorite, but the Great Horned owl is strikingly beautiful. I'm not surprised to see Shane Simpson on your list of contributors he is probably one of the Best wild turkey hunters on the planet and always ends his videos with a symphony of owls hooting.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

I did not know that about Shane Simpson--just saw the footage and asked for permission to borrow it. Are you familiar with Short-eared Owls? They're even even prettier than the Barred and Great Horns and they're one of the few owls that hunt by day. I posted a movie about them a couple of months ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqCch6uVj62en6s

[@Oliver2Jarvis]

Speaking of the calls being territorial, I played some great horned owl calls earlier tonight and had a rather annoyed barred fly up to the top of a tree and call back for a while.

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Yeah, I'll bet the Barred was annoyed at the thought of having his territory invaded by a larger, more aggressive owl.

[@mirenaoberg8436]

What is the music in the beginning?

[@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME]

Danse Macabre

[@mirenaoberg8436]

@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME thank you!