this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2026
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[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 18 points 16 hours ago

Most hoots will be them guarding their territory. Owls have a home range of a few miles they will defend. They will allow a mate and first year offspring in that area, but anyone else is typically unwelcome, as they need to protect their food supply and safe resting areas. Both are limited and crucial for their survival.

Owls can identify each other by their hoots. They are unique just as you can tell other humans' voices apart.

They have a vocabulary of around 2 or 3 dozen sounds, but owls are capable of all kinds of noises and non verbal cues as well.

[–] moonshadow@slrpnk.net 8 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

They were making fun of you, op

[–] zeppo@lemmy.world 1 points 6 hours ago

wow, I feel embraced now

[–] Denjin@feddit.uk 34 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Like basically all bird calls, its either "get lost, this is my land" or "come here, let's make babies".

[–] BurgerBaron@piefed.social 16 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Also "watch out for specific predator."

[–] Denjin@feddit.uk 6 points 17 hours ago

Ah yes I forgot about "oh shit, hide!"

[–] Bahnd@lemmy.world 35 points 18 hours ago (4 children)
[–] Kyle_The_G@lemmy.world 11 points 17 hours ago

LET THE DOGS OUT??

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 5 points 18 hours ago
[–] slothrop@lemmy.ca 2 points 18 hours ago
[–] Yankee_Self_Loader@lemmy.world 17 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Oh my god Zeppo, you can’t just ask owls why they hoot

[–] dan1101@lemmy.world 9 points 16 hours ago

In bird culture, this is considered a dick move.

[–] gustofwind@lemmy.world 9 points 17 hours ago

It’s the least they could give

[–] darreninthenet@piefed.social 9 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Usual animal reasons - staking claim to their bit of owlish territory, finding a mate, sounding an alarm...

[–] TheAsianDonKnots@lemmy.zip 13 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

We have a BIG owl in our neighborhood that’s setup a pretty decent land claim. The dogs can hear it from inside the house and will not go outside when the owl is visiting our yard. Even if I drag the dogs outside, they’ll just stand at my legs and pee on the concrete. One of the dogs is nearly 200lbs.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 6 points 16 hours ago

I had one divebomb me for like half a mile once, it probably did that to your dog and freaked it out.

[–] photonic_sorcerer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

I walked outside and people were talking. Why do they talk?

[–] KoboldCoterie@pawb.social 2 points 16 hours ago

Usual people reasons - staking claim to their bit of people territory, finding a mate, sounding an alarm…

[–] gigastasio@sh.itjust.works 6 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

They’re reminding you to please not pollute.

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 6 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

If Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear teamed up, they would be unstoppable.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 1 points 16 hours ago
[–] Sibbo@sopuli.xyz 6 points 18 hours ago

hoot hoot

hoot's there?

[–] Nighed@feddit.uk 3 points 15 hours ago

If they are twit-twoo owls, listen to where the sounds come from, it will be from a pair, with one going twit and the other going too.

[–] daggermoon@lemmy.world 2 points 14 hours ago

Awwwwwww, that's so cute

[–] Passerby6497@lemmy.world 4 points 18 hours ago

Cuz they're having a good time.

[–] snooggums@piefed.world 3 points 17 hours ago

They learned to catcall from construction workers.

[–] IggyTheSmidge@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 16 hours ago (1 children)
[–] Gsus4@mander.xyz 2 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

Or like BurgerBaron said: Oh fuck!!

relevant

[–] leraje@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 points 17 hours ago

They're not what they seem.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 1 points 16 hours ago

When you hear them hoot at night that means they spotted the demons coming for your soul.

[–] finallymadeanaccount@lemmy.world 1 points 17 hours ago

To show people they give one.