Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by Greg Gillson
Did you hear an owl hoot? Or did you hear a dove coo?
Both birds give a song that can sound like hoo hoo hoo.
In this article I describe several birds that give cooing or hooting calls.
I also describe their calls and provide links to a bird song website where you can listen to these calls right now.
Birds that call hoo hoo hoo include:
- Mourning Dove
- Great Horned Owl
- Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Barred Owl
- White-winged Dove
- Greater Roadrunner
I list these birds in order that most people in North America are likely to hear them. This depends, of course, on exactly where you live.
Mourning Dove
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| Mourning Dove. Greg Gillson |
Named for their mournful cooing song, Mourning Doves are common across the United States and southern Canada.
Their long pointed tails identify them.
The song of these birds reminds me of the lazy summer days of my childhood.
The song starts with a rising mellow: Coo-HOO, then a softer and lower hoo, hoo, hoo.
If you hear a song of hoo hoo hoo or coo coo coo during the daytime, March to August, this bird should be your first guess as to the singer.
Listen to Mourning Dove song (link to Xeno-Canto web site)
Great Horned Owl
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| Great Horned Owl. Greg Gillson |
You may hear people call these Hoot Owls. Of course, people may also call other owls hoot owls, too.
If you hear a hoo hoo hoo at night, then it is an owl and not a dove. They call more frequently as their breeding season starts in winter and early spring. But you can hear them during foggy days, mornings, or if they are startled by loud noises.
These are big birds, the size of Red-tailed Hawks. They have erect facial plumes that give them their name. They live throughout North America.
Males and females call in duets, sometimes, with the female higher in pitch. The pattern is such: HOO, hoo-HOO, hoo, hoo.
Listen to Great Horned Owl song (link to Xeno-Canto web site)
Eurasian Collared-Dove
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| Eurasian Collared-Dove. Greg Gillson |
These big pigeons invaded North America in the 1980s via Florida. They are now found abundantly throughout North America, though least common in the Northeastern States and adjacent eastern Canada.
These birds are “coffee with cream” colored, with a black hind neck collar. They are often found in large noisy flocks.
Their song is a loud cooing with a distinctive pattern: coo-COO, cook.
Listen to Eurasian Collared-Dove song (link to Xeno-Canto web site)
Barred Owl
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| Barred Owl. mpmochrie from Pixabay |
These are fairly large owls found in Eastern hardwood forests, especially the swamps of the Southeast. They occur in the northern Rocky Mountains, and recently (since the 1980s) invaded into the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
While they often call at night, you are quite likely to see this large owl with the big round head during the daytime, too.
Their loud hooting call series sounds very much like: Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?
Listen to Barred Owl song (link to Xeno-Canto web site)
White-winged Dove
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| White-winged Dove. Greg Gillson |
These doves are bigger than Mourning Doves, but smaller than domestic pigeons. They are similar to Eurasian Collared-Doves, with their square tails. But the big white wing patches in flight and perched are always obvious.
These birds are found in summer from Texas to California. They are the birds primarily responsible for pollinating saguaro cacti in Arizona.
If you hear the “Who cooks for you-all?” call of Barred Owl in the desert, then you are hearing the song of White-winged Dove! They have a long song with slurred cooing phrases and a long final coo.
Listen to White-winged Dove song (link to Xeno-Canto web site)
Greater Roadrunner
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| Greater Roadrunner. Greg Gillson |
Roadrunners are desert and grassland birds found from Texas to California.
These are larger birds, the size of chickens or pheasants.
As a member of the cuckoo family they have low cooing songs. These are often given at dawn.
The song is a deep slow series of downward slurring coos: coo-coo-coo-coo-coooooo.
Listen to Greater Roadrunner song (link to Xeno-Canto web site)
Wrapping Up
While the iconic “hoot” sound is most associated with owls, several different bird species actually hoot for various reasons! Here’s a breakdown:
- Territorial defense: This is the most common reason owls hoot. Their calls help establish and guard their territory, warning other owls (and potential predators) to stay away. Different hoot patterns or variations can convey specific messages within their species.
- Attracting mates: During breeding season, male owls use elaborate hoots to attract potential mates and showcase their fitness.
- Maintaining contact: Some owl species use hoots to stay in touch with their young or mates, especially in dense forests where visibility is limited.
- Function: While the specific meaning of their hoots can vary across species, the overall function is often similar – communication, territory defense, or mate attraction.
- Sound: Owl hoots tend to be deeper, richer, and more sustained compared to the shorter, sharper hoots of grouse or the cooing hoots of pigeons.
- Habitat: Most hooting birds are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), often occupying similar habitats like forests or open areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bird hoots during the day?
Since most owls, the classic hooting birds, are nocturnal, hearing a hoot during the day might leave you wondering which feathered friend made that sound. While owls are the first to come to mind, several other birds hoot during the day, and distinguishing them can be tricky. Here are some possibilities:
1. Mourning Dove: Their mournful cooing, often described as a “hoo-hoo-hoo” sound, can easily be mistaken for an owl’s hoot, especially by untrained ears. Listen for their softer, shorter, and higher-pitched calls compared to owls, and remember they are mainly active during the day.
2. Pigeon (Rock Dove): Their familiar “coo” can sometimes sound like a short, hooty coo depending on the context. They are diurnal and readily found in urban areas, making them a likely candidate during the day.
3. Guineafowl: Though not native to North America, if you live somewhere they are introduced or kept as poultry, their loud, distinctive hooting calls used for communication and alarm calls might be heard during the day.
4. Grouse: Some grouse species, like the Ruffed Grouse, have hooting calls alongside their wing-drumming displays. These calls are mostly used for territory defense and mate attraction during the breeding season, which in certain regions can fall during the day.
What is the prettiest sounding bird?
Determining the “prettiest sounding bird” is subjective and depends heavily on individual preferences and cultural influences. What one person finds enchanting, another might find unremarkable. However, some birds consistently receive praises for their beautiful songs, making them strong contenders for the title:
Birds renowned for their melodious songs:
- Nightingale: This European thrush is widely considered the champion of songbirds, praised for its rich, complex, and incredibly varied melody. Its long, intricate, and lyrical phrases have inspired poets and composers for centuries.
- Wood Thrush: This North American thrush holds a special place in the hearts of many nature enthusiasts. Its haunting, ethereal flute-like notes create a peaceful and serene atmosphere, resonating deeply with listeners.
- Hermit Thrush: Another North American thrush, known for its clear, high-pitched whistles and rich, mournful phrases. Its song evokes a sense of solitude and contemplation, often described as “mellow” and “ethereal.”
- Meadowlark: This iconic grassland bird captivates with its sweet, clear whistle and intricate melodies. Its song varies depending on the species, but all share a joyful and uplifting quality, echoing across open fields.
- Mockingbird: These mimics excel at replicating the sounds of other birds and even environmental noises. Their diverse repertoire can be humorous and impressive, creating a unique song tapestry.
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