Chris Hill wrote:

>As for the hoots, male Great Horned Owls, despite their smaller size, have
>the deeper voices. If you hear a pair duetting, the difference is readily
>apparent. There is typically a difference in the pattern of the hoots as
>well between the sexes. I think it is the female whose call consists of
>7-8 notes, while the male's call is shorter, with more like 5 notes, but
>my memory is vague on that point. Perhaps since you are hearing your owls
>regularly, you could tell us!

Males average 5, females 8 hoots in a series.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416