SFX Jar

Owl Sounds

Hear how different owls sound: Western Screech-Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, American Barn Owl and more. Play, loop or download each recording.

8 sounds · free MP3 download · free to use

Owl Sounds

  1. Western Screech-Owl

    Megascops kennicottii, recorded in UT, US, 2024.

    CC BY 4.0 · Credit: Hailey Steele, CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    0:10MP3

  2. Barred Owl

    Strix varia, recorded in SC, USA, 2026.

    CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

    0:12MP3

  3. Northern Saw-whet Owl

    Aegolius acadicus, recorded in Purisima Creek OSP, 2018.

    CC BY 4.0 · Credit: Jennifer Rycenga, CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    0:17MP3

  4. American Barn Owl

    Tyto furcata, recorded in FL, USA, 2022.

    CC BY 4.0 · Credit: Josiah Londerée, CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    0:11MP3

  5. Eastern Screech-Owl

    Megascops asio, recorded in VA, USA, 2020.

    CC BY 4.0 · Credit: Laura Mae, CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

    0:19MP3

  6. Tawny Owls

    Two Tawny Owls or Brown Owls (Strix aluco) that answer each other. A male who hoots and a female who screams. To learn more, go to Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawny_owl

    CC0 1.0 · BigSoundBank

    0:29MP3

  7. Long-Eared Owl #1

    Song of the Long-eared owl (Asio otus). To learn more, go to Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-eared_owl

    CC0 1.0 · BigSoundBank

    0:44MP3

  8. Long-eared owl #2

    Song of the Long-eared owl (Asio otus) to 10 or 15 meters. To learn more, go to Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-eared_owl

    CC0 1.0 · BigSoundBank

    1:16MP3

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Questions

Can I use these owl sounds in a YouTube video or a paid project?

Yes. Every clip here is CC0, public domain or CC BY, and all of those allow use in monetised videos, podcasts, games, apps and client work, with no fee and no need to ask.

Do I need to give credit for these owl sounds?

Only for four of the eight clips, the ones marked CC BY 4.0. Put the credit line in your description or end credits, for example "Western Screech-Owl, Hailey Steele, CC BY 4.0", "Northern Saw-whet Owl, Jennifer Rycenga, CC BY 4.0" and "American Barn Owl, Josiah Londerée, CC BY 4.0". The other four need no credit.

Do all owls sound the same?

No. Each species has its own calls, which is why this page has five of them: Western Screech-Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, American Barn Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl. If you are trying to name one you heard, start with the species found near you.