What does the Burrowing Owl sound like at night?
Press play. If that is the sound outside, you have your answer — the Burrowing Owl's "coo-coo-AW!".
What you're hearing
A soft coo-coo rises into a more open final note. The little phrase sounds surprisingly quail-like for an owl.
“coo-coo-AW!”
Birders often file this one under A tiny coo with a bold finish.
What time of night you hear it
From dusk into the night, from a fence post or a burrow mound in open country.
Often active in daylight, especially around a nest, but also hunts at dusk and after dark. Breeding timing varies across its range, with nesting activity commonly stretching from late winter or spring into summer.
Why a Burrowing Owl calls at night
A soft, two-note coo-coooo, higher and gentler than most owls. Males call at night from near the burrow to advertise and hold the territory. Burrowing Owls are also active in daylight, which makes the night calling a surprise to people who have watched them stand around in the sun.
What else could it be?
The other voices you are most likely to hear in the dark. Play them and compare.