Owls are some of our most beloved birds. Their mysterious nature, irresistible charm, and comical expressions make them a favorite for many birders. It’s hardly surprising then, how many owl videos go viral online.
But what did amaze many people were the peculiar sounds that came out of one owl’s beak! Instead of the typical ‘Hooo-hooo’ that we expect from owls, a TikTok star known as ‘Smokie’ instead offered up a delightful series of chatters and squeals that won the affection of millions!
But what kind of owl is Smokie, and are these sounds usual for the species?!
Smokie the Owl Wins the Hearts of Millions
In recent years, falconry videos on social media have revealed just how deeply the world loves birds. From majestic golden eagles training to hunt prey to hawks learning new tricks, there’s something magical about seeing raptors up close, making affectionate bonds with their owners.
One such star of a popular falconry channel is Smokie, an extremely endearing great gray owl who has won the admiration of endless TikTok viewers with his handsome looks and adorable character.
@ho0j0
Few videos of Smokie, however, have been as popular as this one where he greets his owner with some very unexpected sounds! There’s something just too cute about the way he says hello with his affectionate chatter:
@ho0j0 We havent had any chattering in a while #smokie #greatgrey #greatgray #owl #raptor #birdofprey #strix #strixnebulosa #mews #freeloft #hoot #chirp #chatter #birdtok #owltok #fypシ #fyp ♬ original sound – Hoojo
The video has made many people curious about great gray owls and whether owls normally make these types of sounds! Let’s find out more…
The Wondrous Great Grey Owl
Also known as the Phantom of the North, the great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) is a majestic yet mysterious nocturnal hunter that few have been lucky enough to glimpse in the wild. Here are some fascinating facts about them:
- The great gray owl is not only one of the cutest and most handsome owls, but it is also the world’s largest species by length! Measuring up to 33 inches from head to tail, the largest specimens can exceed that of a small golden eagle.
- Much of the great gray’s impressive dimensions are comprised of fluffy feathers that it needs to stay warm in the frigid climates it dwells in. Its meager body weight of 2.5 pounds is exceeded by both the Great Horned Owl and Snowy Owl which also have larger feet and talons.
- Great grays are a Northern owl species that typically reside in boreal forests, frosty meadows, and high mountains. They’re found from Scandinavia to Mongolia, to Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, and the Hudson Bay.
- With some of the most precise hearing apparatus of any owl, great grays can pinpoint the gophers and voles that they prey upon under deep layers of snow. Penetrating even heavily compacted snow with their powerful talons, they thrust down to grasp their unsuspecting target without either member ever seeing the other!
The Strange Sounds of the Great Grey Owl
When it comes to using their voice, great gray owls have an impressive repertoire! While their song is a fairly typical ‘Hoo… hoo…’ with long pauses in between, they have a range of other calls and chatter that may surprise or puzzle those who hear it.
I found this video on YouTube offers a good account of some of their different calls, yet there are much fewer recordings of the types of sound that Smokie makes in the video!
Presumably, great gray owls would typically only chatter so affectionately with one another in the intimate arena of their tree-top nests, meaning those types of sounds haven’t been documented so widely in the wild.
From having barn owls nesting on my parent’s farm, however, I can attest that owls have a weirder and wider vocabulary than you could ever imagine. It even took my parents a long time to realize what on earth the bizarre sounds coming from the barn could be!
Where You Can See Great Grey Owls in the Wild
If, after seeing this video, you’ve fallen in love with great gray owls, I don’t blame you! As one of North America’s most charismatic creatures, many bird watchers dream of spotting one in the wild.
For that, however, most will have to travel north. The species range in North America spans from interior Alaska in the West, to the Western fringes of Quebec in the East, and down into the Rocky Mountains, Blue Mountains, and Sierra Nevada range in the South.
In Oregon, two bird festivals each May include outings to try to spot the species in the wild. Look into The Ladd Marsh Festival in La Grande and the Mountain Bird Festival in Ashland if that sounds appealing to you!