10 Birds That Sound Like Owls But Aren’t! (Updated 2023)

Have you ever heard a bird that sounded kind of like an owl, but wasn’t one? You’re not alone. There are actually a few different kinds of birds that can make that sound. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 birds that sound like owls but aren’t, along with photos, and information to help identify them.

Birds That Sound Like Owls But Aren’t!

Steller’s Jays

• Length: 11.8-13.4 in (30-34 cm)

• Weight: 3.5-4.9 oz (100-140 g)

• Wingspan: 17.3 in (44 cm)

• Scientific Name: Cyanocitta stelleri

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

The Steller’s Jay is a type of bird that lives in the Western North America. This type of jay has an unusual call, which sounds like an owl. One reason for this may be because owls are their main predators, and they mimic sounds similar to these animals as a warning system.

Another possible explanation is that since owls only hunt at night, the birds have developed this trait, so they can hear when one is nearby before it sees them.

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Mourning Dove

• Length: 9.1-13.4 in (23-34 cm)

• Weight: 3.4-6.0 oz (96-170 g)

• Wingspan: 17.7 in (45 cm)

• Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

Mourning Doves are a type of bird that can be found in North America, that most people know for their mournful cooing. The sound can be mistaken for an owl’s hoot, and it’s not uncommon to confuse the two. 

When these birds go into their mating ritual, they create a series of hoots to attract mates. They usually do this during the night because there is less competition for attention then.

Handpicked Related Post: Facts About Mourning Doves – 10 Things You Need To Know!

Band-tailed Pigeon

• Length: 14-15 in (36-38 cm)

• Weight: 12.5 oz (354 g)

• Wingspan: 26 in (22 cm)

• Scientific Name: Patagioenas fasciata

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

The natural sounds that these pigeons make include a cooing sound made when feeding their young, and soft clucking sounds, which are typically made while flying overhead to roost for the night.

However, some people believe that these birds also produce low hooting noises like an owl at dusk or dawn. ​​​​​​​

Rock Pigeon

• Length: 11.8-14.2 in (30-36 cm)

• Weight: 9.3-13.4 oz (265-380 g)

• Wingspan: 19.7-26.4 in (50-67 cm)

• Scientific Name: Columba livia

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

Rock Pigeons make some calls that are not too different from the song of the Great Horned Owl, according to experts. For example, pigeons will often “whoo-hoo” at dusk or dawn while roosting and in response to predators near their nest, which is similar to owls’ territorial vocalizations during breeding season.

Sometimes when a pigeon gets startled, it makes loud clicking noises, which can sound like an owl. Rock Pigeons also make cooing sounds when they’re happy or courting a mate. 

Handpicked Related Post: Birds that look like Pigeons (Photos, ID & Stats)

Common Nighthawk

• Length: 8.7-9.4 in (22-24 cm)

• Weight: 2.3-3.5 oz (65-98 g)

• Wingspan: 20.9-22.4 in (53-57 cm)

• Scientific Name: Chordeiles minor

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

Common nighthawks are found in the Americas, and they’re known for their distinctive calls can be compared to a noise that resembles an owl’s. ​​​​​​​The typical call of a nighthawk consists of one or two high pitched whistles followed by about 10 clicks.

These calls are much higher pitched than those made by an owl, which have slower and more regular frequency rates. It is interesting to note that when these birds fly, they make other sounds in addition to their characteristic chirping.​​​​​​​

Eastern Whip-poor-will​​​​​​​

• Length: 8.7-10.2 in (22-26 cm)

• Weight: 1.5-2.3 oz (43-64 g)

• Wingspan: 17.7-18.9 in (45-48 cm)

• Scientific Name: Antrostomus vociferus

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

There are many things that Whip-poor-wills sound like. Many people say they sound like owls, but do they really? Read on to find out! Whip-poor-wills make a long-drawn-out “whoo” sound that can last for over 2 seconds, and they usually don’t give any other calls.

Owls, on the other hand, have short bursts of screeches followed by some hooting which are much shorter than whip-poor​​​​​​​-will.

Tawny Frogmouth

• Length: 13.8-20.9 in (35-53 cm)

• Wingspan: 25.6-38.6 in (65-98 cm)

• Weight: 7.1-22.9 oz. (200-650 g)

• Scientific Name: Podargus strigoides

• Maps: Range Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

The Tawny Frogmouth is a type of bird that lives in Australia. They are nocturnal and are most active at night, eating small animals like insects, lizards, mice and birds.

The frogmouth’s call sounds very similar to an owl because they have a low-pitched voice with three types of vocalizations: territorial calls for mating purposes or when alarmed; contact calls between members of the same species; and a cry when hurt or attacked.​​​​​​​

Chuck-Will’s-Widow

• Length: 11.0-12.6 in (28-32 cm)

• Weight: 2.3-6.6 oz (66-188 g)

• Wingspan: 22.8-24.0 in (58-61 cm)

• Scientific Name: Antrostomus carolinensis

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

Chuck-will’s-widow, the migratory bird that is often mistaken for an owl because of its calls at night, has a peculiar mating call. The Chuck-will’s-widow song starts with one low note and then builds to three high notes in rapid succession.

There are many variations on this basic pattern, but all share the same rhythm. Researchers think these birds have developed their call, so they can be heard above the forest noise at​​​​​​​ night.

Nightjar

• Length: 9.6–11.0 in. (24.5–28 cm)

• Weight: 1.8–3.6 oz (51–101 g)

• Wingspan: 20–23 in (52-59 cm)

• Scientific Name: Chordeilinae 

• Maps: Range Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

The Nightjar is a medium-sized bird that lives in the western United States and parts of Canada. The nightjar has a stocky build with a long tail. It has a thick, short neck and is mostly rufous colored with some white spots throughout.

In the daytime, Nightjars are secretive birds that hunt by night. They use their sharp hearing and keen eyesight to spot prey in the darkness. It’s often mistaken for the owls in its region, but it’s actually quite different. The Nightjar has a whistling call that sounds very much like an owl’s hoot.

Wilson’s Snipe

• Length: 10.6-12.6 in (27-32 cm)

• Weight: 2.8-5.2 oz (79-146 g)

• Wingspan: 16.1-17.3 in (41-44 cm)

• Scientific Name: Gallinago delicata

• Maps: Range Map – Sightings Map

• Sounds: Sounds and Calls

Wilson’s Snipe are a North American bird that ranges throughout the eastern half of the continent. These birds reside near bodies of water, and as such, their vocalizations can be fairly easily compared to those of owls.

Wilson’s Snipe make a high-pitched “hoo hoo” call in flight, and also produce various other notes when foraging or defending their territory. A quick listen to recordings of Wilson’s Snipe will reveal that they do indeed sound a great deal like owls.

North American Owl Sounds Audio

• Great horned owl calls and sounds (Audio clips by: All About Birds)
• Barn owl sounds
• Snowy owl sounds
• Eastern screech owl sounds
• Barred Owl sounds
• Great gray owl sounds
• Burrowing owl sounds
• Short-eared owl sounds
• Long-eared owl sounds
• Spotted owl sounds
• Northern saw-whet owl sounds
• Elf owl sounds
• Western screech owl sounds
• Northern hawk owls sounds
• Boreal owl sounds
• Flammulated owl sounds
• Northern pygmy owl sounds
• Whiskered screech owl sounds
• Ferruginous pygmy owl sounds

Frequently Asked Questions