Puzzled by a night bird scream

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soakes
soakes's picture
Puzzled by a night bird scream

Hi all,

Over the past few weeks, I have (very occasionally) heard an odd cry at night.

The best I can describe it is a high pitched, somewhat alarming (almost blood-curdling), descending scream.  It lasts for about 1-2 seconds and on 2 occasions I have heard it twice within a minute.

I am in the Dandening Ranges, Victoria.  I guess it is some sort of owl on the attack, but I can't identify it from any recordings that I can find online.

Any ideas?
 

Lightuningbird
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I would say barn owl. That is the most common owl that makes that sound.

Wimmera mally region, Vic.

soakes
soakes's picture

Thanks.  I have listened to a few barn owl screams and, although I wouldn't rule it out, they do not seem quite the same. They all seem to stay on the same note, whereas the scream I heard was definitely higher in pitch and descending.

Also I haven't seen any barn owls around here (I've seen boobooks and powerful owls), but I hope they are here.  I'll keep an eye and ear open!

soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia

Steven.McBride
Steven.McBride's picture

Sooty Owls have a call that is usually described as falling bomb whistle, but could be described as descending scream.  Also Barking Owls, beside their usual woof-woof call, they also have a call that's often described as a blood-curdling scream.

soakes
soakes's picture

Steven.McBride wrote:

Sooty Owls ...

Aha... I think that's more like it.  Thanks!

soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia

soakes
soakes's picture

It's a pity BIBY doesn't have a page for sooty owls. 

soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia

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