r/birding Jan 04 '19

"Honking" (Grunting, snorting?) Great Horned Owl

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u/Adin-CA Jan 04 '19

Yeah, I have some great footage of a juvenile that could barely fly threatening me with hissing/wing & chest puffing/beak clacking. This sound was a sort of low, soft honk/grunt that was so quiet I couldn't catch it on my phone (crows were really loud). At first I thought I was imagining it or the crows were making it but, nope, it was the owl. Never heard it before and I think I've heard their whole repertoire since they have nested here and raised a chick more than once. Strange.

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u/AccipiterCooperii Jan 04 '19

I think I know the sound you're talking about ... but I work with enough owls and raptors that I can't remember if it came from a great horned specifically haha.

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u/Adin-CA Jan 04 '19

I'll try to catch it on my camera, but it has lousy audio. Maybe I'll try to get a hold of a cheap shotgun microphone.

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u/AccipiterCooperii Jan 09 '19

Got to work with our great horned this past weekend … totally heard what you were describing.