Monday, December 8, 2008

Whooo's Who? - Answers








Did we stump you on the owl calls?  No one jumped in and got their feet wet on this one!  

Of course, it may be that most of us don't often hear owl vocalizations unless we are really listening for them--usually after dark or in the wee hours.

Owl #1 is our own Great Horned Owl, Junior.  The description of his vocalization would be:

E.  A low pitched monotone "ho-ho-ho-hoo-hoo"

Owl #2 is our ever popular Eastern Screech Owl, Twig.  The description of his call is:

C. A high pitched trilling call

Owl #3 is our very vocal Barred Owl, Shakespeare.  His call description seems like an odd question:

A.  Which owl is concerned about your dinner? - this owl's call is often described as sounding like "who-who-who cooks for you?"

Owl #4 is the Common Barn Owl.  Pictured is our precocious young Goblin.  Since the barn owl doesn't "hoot", it's calls have been described as:

B.  A series of high pitched hissing screams








Owl #5 is the Saw-whet Owl.  Pictured is one of our newest residents, our shy little Aspen.  The Saw-whet Owl's call is described as:

D.  A monotonous "hoop-hoop-hoop"







Owl #6 is the Eurasian Eagle Owl.  Here you see our majestic Bogart.  His call is described as:

H.  A long, booming "oo-hooh".  This species occasionally issues barking, growling calls if it feels threatened.








#7 in our Owl Parade is the Spectacled Owl.  Pictured is our beautiful, but solemn looking Latte.  This owl's call is described as:

F.  A knocking or tapping "Pup-pup-pup-pup-o" issued in a rising crescendo.  The female issues a hawklike "ker-WHEER"







#8 is the Tawny Owl.  Pictured is our own little Tigger.  The Tawny Owl's call is described as:

G.  The female calls "to-whit", and the male answers "to-woo"

So, to recap, the answers to our quiz are:  1E, 2C, 3A, 4B, 5D, 6H, 7F, and 8G

Check back later in the week for more Owl IQ quizzes about these fascinating creatures.

To join one of our Owl Prowls call 636-225-4390, Ext. 0 to make your reservations.

1 comment:

  1. Many thanks to one of our sharp-eyed viewers from the UK for catching my Ooops! The calls for the male and female Tawny Owls were indeed reversed. The female's call sounds like "to-whit", and the male answers with a call that sounds like "to-woo"! It's good to know that you're out there paying attention!!

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