Subject: GHO calls
Date: Feb 26 05:30:41 2004
From: martha burdick - marthaburdick at hotmail.com
I've been hearing some GHO calls that fascinate and perplex me. I'm a
novice, so trying to learn as I go, and hoping someone more experienced can
shed some light on these calls. I'm on Whidbey Island, near Freeland.
There's been what I've assumed is a single (male?) GHO near me for many
months. But in recent months, especially the past one, I've been hearing
more than one owl--sometimes it has sounded like as many as 3--and have been
hearing more than the usual lone territorial call. (Maybe I'm hearing more
because I'm listening more.)
For example: the other night about midnight I heard a meow-like call (so
cat-like that for a moment I thought maybe it was one) very near me. Same
call a couple of times or so within the next few minutes, moving to maybe 40
feet away. Then a strange short mix--rapid hooting, more "meow" sounds, and
--strangest of all--rapid high-pitched trilling. Trilling probably isn't the
best word, but it's the best one I can think of (maybe "chirping"). Then it
was all over. I'm guessing this is mating/breeding?
I've also been hearing another GHO making a Hoo call in the same pitch but
different pattern than the familiar territorial call. (I've heard the
differently-patterned call before, but could swear that at the time it was
higher-pitched than the territorial call).
I heard two birds making the differently-patterned, same-pitched calls last
night, near dusk. Bird A gave the territorial call, and was moving around.
Bird B was making the other call (something like "Hoo Hoo-Hoo-Hoo Hoo-Hoo
Hoo Hoo", with equal emphasis on each syllable, no upswing at end as there
is with territorial call-forgive my transcription attempt). Bird B didn't
always respond to Bird A; Bird A would make sometimes several calls before
there was a call from Bird B.
I went down to the nest I've found, and Bird B was definitely there. Bird A
was moving towards the nest as he was calling.
Then I had to go home because the dogs were with me and I didn't want any
coyote encounters!
I have in the recent past heard same-pitch exchanges similar to the Bird
A/Bird B one described above.
Have also sometimes heard "hahnks" almost like a peahen (but not exactly-I
know the peahen sound because one visited here for awhile while she was on
the lam from her home; her owners came and took her home, with all
forgiven). I gather the "hanhk" sound is not well understood.
Also heard the hahnk some months ago in a short strange session where the
owl(s?) mixed typical territorial calls with "honks" and barks. Strange
night--wonder what was going on.
I've searched books, available CDs, and the web info on GHO calls but
haven't found too much (Owlpages.com has been the most help).
Anyone have any ideas on what any of these calls/exchanges might "mean"?
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