Identifying and Listening to the Five Owl Species in the British Isles

Spotting the five owl species in the UK can be quite challenging. Except for the Short-Eared Owl, they are most active at night. During the day they blend in perfectly with their surroundings. You are most likely to hear them, and because each of their calls is quite distinctive, it’s relatively easy to identify them. In this article, we give a short précis on each owl together with a sound bite.

Tawny Owl

The Tawny-Owl (scientific name Strix aluco) is widespread across the British Isles, with the most distinctive call of any of the owls in our line-up. It is perhaps no wonder then that people associate the sound of the Tawny Owl with owls in general.

Did You Know? The famous “twit twoo” sound is a duet between a male and a female. The female tawny owl emits a sharp “twit” sound, while the male responds with a “twoo”. 

Therefore, listen out for the individual elements of the call, as they can indicate a solitary bird. For instance, a male will emit a call to establish its territory, while a female can also emit a call to maintain contact with her young. Tawny owls are most vocal during autumn evenings when pairs begin courting, which they do from February. They prefer to live in broadleaved woodlands, but they have adapted to urban environments where there are mature trees.

Little Owl

A Little Owl (scientific name Athene noctua) call is typically a repetitive ‘woop’ sound or a ‘kiew kiew’. The best time to hear the Little Owl is during the breeding season, which occurs from April onwards. During this period the males call to mark their territory. They inhabit areas with farmland & hedgerows preferring to nest in large, old trees; as these are most likely to have suitable hollows. 

Barn Owl

The Barn Owl (scientific name Tyto alba) has a colloquial nickname of the “screech owl” due to its distinct piercing call. You are most likely to hear them at the start of the breeding season when the males screech to proclaim their territory and to attract females. They inhabit open countryside, where you may be lucky to see them during dawn and dusk.

Short-Eared Owl

The Short-Eared Owl (scientific name Asio flammeus) is also renowned for its distinctive call. In particular, the male whose song typically consists of multiple hoots. This repetitive singing can last for long periods when the males are declaring their territories and calling for females.

In addition to the male hooting song, it is worth noting that the Short-Eared Owl has various vocalizations including screeches not dissimilar to that of the Barn Owl, as well as barking noises; and wing claps.

Short-eared owls inhabit grasslands and open moors, as they breed on the ground. During winter, you may see them in coastal areas amongst marshes and dunes. Unlike the other owls in this article, Short-Eared Owls hunt during the day as well as at nighttime. 

You may also be interested in our complete guide to the Short-Eared Owl.

Long-Eared Owl

The Long-Eared Owl (scientific name Asio Otus) emits a soft ‘hoo hoo’ call, although they do have various vocalizations. Long-Eared Owls share the same trait as Short-Eared Owls in that they will sometimes clap their wings. 

The best chance to hear their calls is during the breeding season, which occurs in early spring. Long-Eared owls are nighttime hunters. Roosting in dense trees within well-established woodland; including deciduous and coniferous habitats.