African Wood Owl
Call & Sounds
African Wood Owl (Strix woodfordii)
The African Wood Owl (Strix woodfordii) is a stocky, medium-sized owl native to sub-Saharan Africa. The call of this species is a characteristic night sound in the African bush.
What does a African Wood Owl sound like? The advertising call of the African Wood Owl is a distinctive rhythmic phrase of usually seven hoots ‘whoo-whu…whoo-hu-hu…hu-hu’. The male call is lower-pitched than the female, and pairs often call in duet. African Wood Owls also make other sounds including a loud single note hoot ‘wheuow’. This single note call is often alternated with the advertising calls. Adults and young owls also make bill-snapping sounds in aggression and as a defensive response.
Listen to some examples of African Wood Owl calls and sounds below.
Listen to African Wood Owl Sounds
The audio in the video below features the advertising call and single note plaintive hoots of a male and female African Wood Owl. Recorded in Kafue National Park, Zambia.
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Other African Bird Calls
- Fish Eagle, African (Icthyophaga vocifer)
- Francolin, Crested (Ortygornis sephaena)
- Go-Away-Bird, Grey (Crinifer concolor)
- Goose, Egyptian (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
- Guineafowl, Helmeted (Numida meleagris)
- Hoopoe, African (Upupa epops africana)
- Hornbill, Southern Ground (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
- Ibis, Hadada (Bostrychia hagedash)
- Lapwing, Blacksmith (Vanellus armatus)
- Nightjar, Fiery-necked (Caprimulgus pectoralis)
- Ostrich, Common (Struthio camelus)
- Owl, African Scops (Otus senegalensis)
- Owl, African Wood (Strix woodfordii)
- Owl, Pel's Fishing (Scotopelia peli)
- Owlet, African Barred (Glaucidium capense)
- Owlet, Pearl-spotted (Glaucidium perlatum)
- Roller, Lilac-breasted (Coracias caudatus)