Barn Owl Sounds & What Each Call Means | Discover Wildlife | Robert E Fuller

Also known colloquially as a 'screech owl', the barn owl's call is a haunting, high-pitched scream that pierces the night sky.
Watch more barn owl films here: • Barn Owls | Discover W...
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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Identifying owl sounds
Barn owls make a high-pitched screeching sound, very different to the 'hoot' of a tawny owl.
Barn owls
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: native tawny, short-eared and long-eared owls, and little owls, which were introduced here.
Haunting calls
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.
Owl hoots
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.
Silent when hunting
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.
What does each owl sound mean?
Barn owls also make gentler, cooing noises when courting or preening one another, and a 'clacking' sound when they feel threatened.
Calling an owl mate
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!
How owls sound when fighting
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.
When owls clack their beaks
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!
ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
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CHAPTERS
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00:00 Introduction
01:23 Courtship owl sounds
01:53 Screeching for mate
02:28 Screeching at danger
03:21 Beak clacking
03:49 Owl chicks calling for food
04:14 Silent owl
04:34 Recap
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© Robert E Fuller
Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: [e-mail]

[@dinitroacetylen]

3:22 -- you know things got serious when an owl starts speaking Morse code.

[@janetfitzgerald5794]

For heavens sake...I always thought a sc reech owl was its own species. Always, always, something new to learn. Especially on this channel!

[@marthasundquist5761]

EUROPE AND US have different owl species, for instance, they have no great horned owls there, and US has no Tawny Owls. Europe does not have Screech owls either.

[@janetfitzgerald5794]

thanksMartha, but not exactly the answer to my question. I will do a search. Screech owl is just a nickname not a species on its own...its the barn owl. is this correct?

[@marthasundquist5761]

@janetfitzgerald5794 I believe it is it's name but there are several species. The most common in the US is the Eastern Screech Owl. They look kinda like baby sized Great Horned owls. The barn owls in Europe may be nicknamed screech owls...or just commonly called that although it is not their proper name.

[@RobertEFuller]

The barn owl is actually not a screech owl, it's just a colloquial nickname here in the UK. There are 22 different species of screech owls, and the barn owl isn't one of them!

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

So true! Always something new to learn!!

[@dizzylizzy_369]

I've never been able to choose my favorite type of owl because I love them all so very much...I will admit though that the barn owl continues to mesmerize me more and more every time I watch them with their unique beauty and vocals ❤

[@melissamarioth9554]

I agree

[@AC-ni4gt]

I never found barn owls scary. I find their sounds and appearance adorable.

[@oblonghas]

I love how the barn owl looks. When they dip their heads and move them side to side with their bum raised is truly intimidating.

[@HeadphonesUK]

Owls move their heads like that because their ears are uneven placed on each side of their head, so they move their head to get an almost 360 degree radar of their surroundings

[@mirrepoix]

@@HeadphonesUK they're referring to the barn owl's threat display, where they use the swaying of their large round faces to help intimidate and make themselves appear bigger. 3:31 owls can rotate their heads because their eyes are so large, they're fixed in the socket. so they can't move their eyes to look in a different direction, they have to move the entire head. the uneven ear slits do help them identify sound with better precision, but they don't have to bob their heads to use this

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

I find them more endearing and wise rather than intimidating or frightful. I'm sure the mice and smaller birds are intimidates though!

[@susanasalinas4273]

Owls are so amazing! They have beautiful feathers too. Thanks Robert, can't wait for the next adventure!!

[@thomaswilleborts6771]

Thank you for the language of the Barn owl. ❤🪶

[@noep8043]

His scientific name is curious, Tyto Alba, is like the name of a Salsa singer haha! My favorite bird of all time

[@francoisebeylie2923]

Alba, album, means white in Latin.

[@glassowlie]

Tyto is owl, and alba is white. So its name is literally the white owl.

[@user-up6bh3jb7e]

I love barn owls. They are beautiful❤

[@baddnurse5443]

This is wonderful and informative ❤thank you

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kerrykestrowl6785]

The chitter when gylfie chats to her chick to gets its attention to eat is cool lots to listen for in the barnowl world thank you ref very interesting

[@RobertEFuller]

Pleased you liked ut

[@MsLeenite]

Thank you, Mr Fuller. I like the chirps and beak clacking. The clip of the little owlet frightened by thunder is so sweet!

[@melissamarioth9554]

Yed

[@BIGDAVE5352]

I love those Barns!

[@jonramsey6348]

DUUUUDE!!!! I feel so lucky to have found this video…. Many thanks 🙏

[@rami_ungar_writer]

Remind me to watch this again when it comes time to edit my owl horror novella.

[@Luceforall]

You know, I am more of an eagle/hawk/kestrel fan, but I can't help following your narrated videos on owls - absolutely fascinating! Thank you ❤

[@laurenconradie5328]

Hi Robert, could you please do videos for all of the UK's owls? These are sounds that bring me comfort since I've worked with Barn Owls for just over 4 and a half years. ❤❤

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes I will.

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

Aww the sweet wee little barn owl hearing thunder for the first time! ❤ We are all children of God who get frightened by nature from time to time. Isn't it an amazing sight to see a baby owlette experience thunder for the first time! Precious! All animals should be loved and protected by humans- no matter their size and brute strength!

[@shilohndrah]

Thank you Robert for the great language lesson on Barn Owls🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@BlackFlagHeathen]

Barn owls are one of my favorite animals. They’re so beautiful and majestic and adorable. Thank you for this informative video. ❤️⚫️V⚫️❤️

[@crystalgaskins8270]

That was so cool… and informative! Thanks 😊

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed

[@crystalgaskins8270]

I enjoy everything on this channel!!!

[@caroledwards1182]

Very interesting! I appreciate your providing us with information.

[@RobertEFuller]

My pleasure!

[@leahkilley6581]

Absolutely beautiful! Amazing video! 🤍🦉

[@theck672]

Thank you for this educational video, so helpful❣️

[@Silver..]

it is so nice to have something like this around for those who want to be familiar with why orions mate is screeching all the time

[@sandramyer7081]

Its great to see and hear the various owls! Its great and thank you, Robert Fuller, and others; so interesting❤️💕

[@anna-rosephipps3132]

Thank you for translating into English the language of barn owls, Robert. So precious..love them even more as i get to understand them better. Looking forward to learning about the other species of owls now.Thank you sp much

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes I’ll be doing more owl videos

[@allenholmes2353]

This is so interesting. Love the video 😊

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@loiswilcken1758]

Thank you for the enlightenment. I'm a musicologist, so I truly appreciate the attention to sound that you have shared here.

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed the barn owl sounds 😃

[@sharim]

This was such an interesting piece! I love owls best of all the birds. Now hopefully I’ll be able to recognize them by their calls! Thank you for your amazing videos.

[@lizzparis9060]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT vid‼️Thanx😺

[@soniaribeirokloth1914]

Hi, Robert! Amazing informative video!!👏 Thanks for sharing these precious and significant moments with us!! 🙌🤩😍👍🙏😃

[@jacqueenespanol6065]

Phenomenal. Thank you Robert

[@weeklyanimedose6277]

I loved this. I'm writing a book where ravens and owls play a heavy role, and describing their sounds is crucial when doing so. This was a wonderful watch!!❤

[@judyd1536]

Wow! He did great! Right on cue!

[@miguelcano8112]

Just beautiful very creative and imteresting.. Thank you for taking it to the max!!!🎉

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Such great footage, thank you! Poor lil chick getting scared by the thunder. I love ALL owls we have 2 1/2 acres and often hear the calls of “who cooks for you who cooks for you- all?” from the Barred Owls. It’s such a soothing sound.

[@donnalagorga3169]

I always enjoy your videos and the calls of the Barn Owl are really interesting to learn. Thank you so much for your dedication in sharing your knowledge via videos w/us!

[@elizabethyoung4900]

Beautiful and informative video, wonderful to see. Thank you ❤

[@rosemaryjane9455]

Amazing! I never knew owls have so many different calls.

[@martinatravers330]

Thank you so much for this. Owls are beautiful and fascinating.

[@normanjefferychester882]

Thank you Robert that's great sharing today

[@LadyTarasque]

Love this video :D well put together.. are we going to get a tawny owl version? 👀 (Can we please? :D ) :43 fashionabowl barn owl.. wonder which one it is

[@RobertEFuller]

Will do!

[@robinz2000]

This was Great. Thank you.!!

[@DAWNBaer-zz4nx]

Beautiful and I love owls ❤

[@joylong8897]

Thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much about this Owl. After hear definitely a screeche ❤🪶

[@AE-se9bl]

I quite enjoyed this video (as I do with all your videos) so interesting to learn ! Barnowls are so wonderful even when they screech! 🥰

[@reneelascala5050]

This is a super useful compilation. Thank you.

[@snakeplisskenish]

Beautiful little film. Thanks for that!

[@sharonsjustalittlebitofme]

Thank you for sharing owls are So Beautiful

[@NorthToSouthChannel]

The screech of a barn owl sounds like the emergency notification system haha. My favorite owl "hoot" is the Barred owl.

[@melissamarioth9554]

They are such beautiful birds😊😊

[@poppydaiz]

Thanks for this video - so fascinating!❤ 🦉 🦉 🦉

[@nm4472]

This was great! I learned so much.

[@Gamerafighter76]

It’s always cool when I’m hearing both Barn and Barred owls near my house

[@chrisdgreek]

Thankyou for this!!!!

[@carollunn3370]

❤Thanks so much for such interesting information, Robert. You are the raptor expert. Love seeing all the video clips of nests, bird family life from courting to eggs, chicks, and their growth. Thank you for that, your travel photos, videos, and art. You are an extremely talented man.😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤😅😅

[@Crowhillgal]

Thank you. Nice to learn about barn owls.

[@user-my8nm3dk5g]

That was so interesting and informative!! They are beautiful and their vocal calls are pretty wild!! Thank you for sharing. Well done!!! 👍

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks

[@hartmutwrith3134]

Thank you Robert. All your clips help me a lot in my voluntaire role as barn owl godfather here in our south German local district of Aichtal (south of Stuttgart). I am also in touch with Pip Laker.

[@RobertEFuller]

That’s great to hear. Keep up the good work

[@marinaps5302]

before we had a lot of owls and heard them every night, then something happened and I didn't hear them for years until a two months ago, thanks to your channel I immediately recognized the screeching of the barn owl but I didn't know what it meant, now I know "come here baby, I found us a new home"😂 I'm so happy that they are back

[@thomashendrick7294]

Well, thank You so very, very much for an important, awesome, friendly and informative channel. Tom

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Starlight-pr2so]

I love their beak clacking❤

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes it’s an interesting one

[@anikaakter2155]

Try ^"(#>%]'f7h

[@anikaakter2155]

Yetjej8v

[@terredee]

Very interesting. Thank you!

[@Guinevere-2j7]

Thank you so much for educating us on the language of barn owls. The screech belongs to the gothic literature.

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes it certainly does

[@miketausig4205]

I totally agree with that statement…from the dark and empty ramparts of a deserted castle somewhere in Bovaria!

[@victoryv9575]

I'm baby sitting a Barn owlet presently and it has enjoyed your video!

[@barbaraburke9926]

I am always amazed by owls! So glad I found your channel.

[@RobertEFuller]

Welcome!

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Amazing I love learning bird sounds

[@beverleybrowning3480]

So fascinating and informative! Love to learn these things. You provide such wonderful videos. THANK YOU. Near where I live, at my friends’ camp we hear owls all the time that “hoot” - not sure what kind. They will often respond to our hooting back to them. Cheers from 🍁🇨🇦

[@sylviamiller9047]

Wow! ❤ What a beautiful educational video thank you!

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BirdsCollective]

Good video, love it

[@K1RM0]

Thanks For Sharing Interesting I Always Wondered What The Sound's Meant I've Actually Seen A Couple But I Hear Them All The Time 😀❤❤❤

[@loerro8490]

Very good informative video 😊

[@louisecotulla4296]

Very educational! We have screech owls here In US also, but they are a different species, very small and with a wide variety of terrifying sounds especially when th ey surprise you in the middle of the night!

[@sandramyer7081]

They are Smart Owls and you showed us so much intelligent these Owls are - TY💕

[@MichelleAhern-hz1lk]

Also their faces arex so so cute thku.

[@o_o8203]

The Aztec saw barn owls as messengers from the underworld, and the Aztec "death whistle" sounds almost exactly like their screech!

[@secretagentonaroll]

very good job

[@susanschmid2271]

Super.

[@heatherfitzgerald722]

Great video with live owl life

[@LunaLei]

Oh...heheh~ a compilation of cuteness. Includes Orion too~

[@dotbotha5898]

They are beautiful

[@SharonBrown-yn6fz]

Love the beck clicking. Sounds like their dentures r loose haaaaaaaaaa. I love owls. In northern Manitoba we had owls don’t know what kind but loved to see them. That baby was so scared. Poor baby where is my parents.

[@Gorgeousbaebeauty]

Woow awesome I love owls

[@BrooklynCalieEarth]

Well tht was cool 😊❤

[@robin2319]

I love the owl , my favorite beautiful creature

[@craighewitt223]

Heard this lastnight, in fact there were several, this was about 11pm, deathly quiet, until that hellfire screech, sent a chill down my spine! 😂😂 From this video it seems I heard both screeching and begging. Fantastic nonetheless!

[@TheRoamingHistoryador]

Hoping for Tawny Owls sound compilation and their meanings.

[@marycoakley7596]

Marvellous.your photography.is.amazing

[@RobertEFuller]

Thank you

[@HOLLYWOODHILLS133]

That owl 🦉 fight was funny 😅

[@user-rh3hh2gn5e]

Thank you my familly ...........🎉......

[@slicvicX007]

Very interesting video

[@LibraLady59]

Thank you for this Mr Fuller! Someone where I live in NE IL was describing an owl they've seen around here. I'm rather new to this location. It sounded like a barn owl, as she said it was white. I don't think Snowy Owls come down this far. 💜🙏 P.S. actually just looked it up & there is a small chance a Snowy Owl could make it's way here.

[@sheenamoffat6703]

Lots of tawnys in the woods near me Love them

[@StephenM-ew9oz]

I always thought that was that dang mocking bird. It’s been the barn owl all the time. That’s scary.

[@tiger201053]

سبحان الخالق العظيم ❤ وشكرا جزيلا على المعلومات القيمة❤

[@lialica1496]

Formidable !

[@LordOfSweden]

Every other owl: cute hoots Barn owl: monster from the deep

[@janetfitzgerald5794]

thanks for the clarification Robert...thought we had screech owls here in Ontario

[@davevandebrake4481]

Outstanding Audio!Video and Narration! Well Done!

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you liked it!