Have you ever heard a mysterious hoot at night and immediately assumed it was an owl? You’re not alone. Many birds have surprisingly similar vocalizations to owls, and it’s easy to get fooled—especially in the dark or early morning when visibility is low.
If you’re an avid birder, a nature lover, or simply someone curious about those night-time sounds outside your window, this guide is for you. The truth is, not all “hoots” come from owls. Some doves, nightjars, and other unique species can sound incredibly similar. Their calls may be low-pitched, echoing, or rhythmic—traits we naturally associate with owls. But with the right information, you can tell them apart.
In this article, you’ll meet 12 birds that sound like owls—but aren’t. Each section gives you the bird’s scientific name, key physical stats like wingspan and length, and a description of the call that causes the confusion. You’ll also learn where these birds live, what they look like, and how to identify them—day or night.
So, the next time you hear a haunting “hoo-hoo” in the night, you’ll know there’s a chance it’s not an owl at all. Let’s explore these fascinating avian impersonators!
Contents
12 Birds That Sound Like an Owl But Aren’t
1. Mourning Dove
- Scientific name: Zenaida macroura
- Length: 30 cm (12 in)
- Wingspan: 36–45 cm (14–18 in)
- Weight: ~110 g (4 oz)
Mourning doves are probably the most common owl impersonators in urban and suburban areas. Their soft, drawn-out coos often get mistaken for distant owl calls, especially in the early morning or evening.
Their sound resembles a low “coo-OOO-oo, oo, oo,” which echoes gently across neighborhoods. Because their calls rise and fall in pitch, it’s easy to confuse them with an owl’s haunting hoot. But unlike owls, mourning doves are active during the day and aren’t predators.
They’re slender birds with soft brown and gray plumage, small black spots on their wings, and a long pointed tail. You’ll often find them perched on telephone wires, rooftops, or feeding in open yards and gardens.
If you hear a hoot-like sound in the daytime, there’s a good chance it’s a mourning dove—not an owl.
2. Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Scientific name: Streptopelia decaocto
- Length: 32 cm (12.5 in)
- Wingspan: 47–50 cm (18.5–19.5 in)
- Weight: 150–200 g (5–7 oz)
Eurasian collared-doves are another dove species that produce calls resembling owl hoots. Their sound is a rhythmic “koo-KOO-kook,” repeated several times with a steady cadence.
At dusk or dawn, their cooing can sound very similar to the territorial hooting of owls, especially when echoing through trees or buildings. Many people unfamiliar with their voice assume an owl is nearby.
These doves are light gray with a narrow black collar on the back of their necks. They’re slightly larger than mourning doves and tend to be bolder around human habitation. You’ll often find them in suburban areas, perched on fences, rooftops, or utility poles.
Their call is stronger and more emphatic than the mourning dove’s, but still soft enough to be deceptive.
3. Great Potoo
- Scientific name: Nyctibius grandis
- Length: 48–60 cm (19–24 in)
- Wingspan: ~70+ cm (28+ in)
- Weight: ~550 g (1.2 lb)
The Great Potoo is one of nature’s most mysterious and camouflaged birds. Found in Central and South America, it blends perfectly into tree trunks, making it almost invisible during the day. But at night, it comes alive with a ghostly, deep, moaning call that many mistake for an owl.
Its call is a sorrowful, descending wail—like a distant ghostly hoot that fades into the night. These vocalizations are especially haunting in dense forests and can travel far in the still air.
With its wide mouth, bulging yellow eyes, and cryptic brown-gray feathers, the Great Potoo looks as strange as it sounds. It’s strictly nocturnal and feeds mostly on large insects.
If you’re in the right part of the world and hear something eerie at night, don’t be too quick to assume it’s an owl—it could be a Potoo.
4. Barking Owl
- Scientific name: Ninox connivens
- Length: 38–46 cm (15–18 in)
- Wingspan: ~90 cm (35 in)
- Weight: 300–600 g (10.5–21 oz)
Despite its name, the Barking Owl’s call is one of the most unusual owl-like sounds made by a non-owl. It can sound like a dog’s bark or even a screaming woman at times. The “barking” aspect of its name comes from its distinct double-note call: “woof-woof!”
Though it is technically an owl, many people mistake its bizarre calls for something entirely different. Sometimes, it even mimics a typical owl hoot, which adds to the confusion.
Native to Australia and parts of New Guinea, Barking Owls prefer forests and open woodlands. Their mottled brown and white feathers make them hard to spot during the day, though they are quite vocal at night.
If you’re camping in Australia and hear barking from above—it may be this unusual bird, not a dog.
5. Blue Jay
- Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata
- Length: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
- Wingspan: 34–43 cm (13–17 in)
- Weight: 70–100 g (2.5–3.5 oz)
Blue Jays are excellent mimics. Among the many sounds they copy—including hawks and cats—they can also imitate owl calls, especially the red-shouldered hawk and some species of owls.
Their hoot-like vocalizations are sharp, loud, and often repeated in bursts. They use these mimic calls to confuse predators or warn other birds of danger.
These colorful birds have bright blue feathers, a white chest, and a black “necklace” around their throats. They’re common in wooded suburban areas, often seen stealing food or making a noisy racket.
If you hear an owl-like sound in the middle of the day, especially in spring, it might just be a mischievous Blue Jay.
6. Common Nighthawk
- Scientific name: Chordeiles minor
- Length: 22–25 cm (9–10 in)
- Wingspan: 51–61 cm (20–24 in)
- Weight: 65–100 g (2.3–3.5 oz)
The Common Nighthawk’s call doesn’t mimic a typical owl hoot—but it’s still eerie enough to cause confusion. It gives a “peent” call and a booming sound made by air rushing through its wings during a dive.
These birds are crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk, and their haunting sounds in low light can easily be mistaken for an owl.
They have long, pointed wings, cryptic brown mottled coloring, and spend most of their time flying, catching insects mid-air.
Look up during twilight and you might see them darting around under the sky, adding mystery to the evening with their strange sounds.
7. Kakapo
- Scientific name: Strigops habroptilus
- Length: 60 cm (24 in)
- Wingspan: Flightless
- Weight: 2–4 kg (4–9 lb)
The Kakapo is a rare nocturnal parrot from New Zealand that produces a deep, booming call that can be mistaken for an owl’s hoot. Males emit these low-frequency booms during mating season to attract females.
The booms are so low and resonant that they can travel for several kilometers, especially in the quiet of night.
Kakapos are mossy green, chubby, and flightless—unlike anything you’d expect from such an eerie sound. Because of their rarity, most people won’t hear one in the wild, but recordings often confuse listeners.
If you hear a deep, ghostly boom in the dark—it might not be an owl, but a parrot with a prehistoric voice.
8. Eastern Whip-poor-will
- Scientific name: Antrostomus vociferus
- Length: 22–27 cm (8.7–10.6 in)
- Wingspan: 45–50 cm (18–20 in)
- Weight: 50–65 g (1.8–2.3 oz)
The Eastern Whip-poor-will gets its name from its repeating call: “whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will.” While not a direct match for owl hoots, the rhythmic, haunting repetition often causes confusion.
These birds are masters of camouflage, with gray and brown mottled feathers that blend into forest floors. They’re strictly nocturnal and feed on flying insects.
You’ll rarely see them, but their call rings through forests in late spring and summer evenings. Many people new to birding think an owl is hooting in a rhythmic pattern—when it’s really this unique nightjar.
9. Common Loon
- Scientific name: Gavia immer
- Length: 66–91 cm (26–36 in)
- Wingspan: 127–147 cm (50–58 in)
- Weight: 2.7–6.3 kg (6–14 lb)
The eerie calls of the Common Loon echo across lakes, especially at night. Their long, haunting wails, yodels, and tremolos can be mistaken for the cries of large owls.
They call most often during breeding season and are highly vocal on calm lakes in northern regions.
Their black and white plumage, red eyes, and sharp beak make them striking birds. But it’s the haunting sound—like something from a mystery movie—that confuses even experienced listeners.
10. Lyrebird
- Scientific name: Menura novaehollandiae
- Length: 80–100 cm (31–39 in)
- Wingspan: Broad tail fan
- Weight: 1 kg (2.2 lb)
Lyrebirds are the ultimate vocal mimics. Native to Australia, they can imitate chainsaws, camera shutters, dogs, and yes—owl calls.
They use their powerful syrinx to copy dozens of bird species, blending hoots into a medley of forest sounds.
Their impressive fan-shaped tail and earthy plumage make them visually stunning, but it’s their ability to replicate owl calls that really sets them apart.
You may hear what seems like a dozen birds, including owls, and realize it’s just one talented lyrebird putting on a show.
FAQs
1. Can birds other than owls really hoot?
Yes! Many birds, especially doves and mimics like jays and lyrebirds, produce sounds very similar to an owl’s hoot.
2. Why do birds mimic owl sounds?
Birds may imitate owls to scare away other birds or predators. Others naturally produce hoot-like sounds due to the structure of their syrinx.
3. Are all these birds nocturnal?
No. Some like the mourning dove and blue jay are active during the day, while others like the potoo and kakapo are strictly nocturnal.
4. How can I tell if it’s an owl or a mimic?
Listen to the pattern, tone, and time of day. True owl calls are often deeper and simpler. Mimics usually add variation or call during the day.
5. Can apps help identify bird sounds?
Absolutely. Birding apps like Merlin and Audubon let you record and match bird calls to help with accurate identification.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve met 12 fascinating birds that sound like owls but aren’t, you’re better equipped to decode those mysterious night-time calls. While it’s easy to assume every “hoot” comes from an owl, nature has a way of surprising you. Doves, potoos, parrots, and even songbirds can trick your ears with calls that echo through the trees like something far more mysterious.
The next time you hear an eerie call in the distance, take a moment to consider the possibilities. It could be a dove under your porch, a lyrebird showing off, or even a parrot calling out across a New Zealand valley. Every bird has its voice—and now, so do you.
Stay curious, keep listening, and enjoy the rich, mysterious language of the avian world around you.
