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(WJW) — What’s that sound?
Wildlife experts in Ohio say an eerie hissing sound coming from the trees could be a young barred owl calling out to its parents for food.
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In a recent post to the Ohio Division of Wildlife Facebook page, officials shared a picture of a young barred owl they said was recently spotted in a central Ohio backyard where several more owls were seen flying and at least one was hissing.
According to the post, juveniles use this call to signal to their parents they are hungry.
SINGAPORE, April 6, 2021 — A baby barred eagle-owl rests on a tree in Singapore’s Central Catchment Nature Reserve on April 6, 2021. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey via Getty Images)
The Geauga Park District has previously addressed similar reports after a shrill-like call was heard in Novelty. Naturalist Tami Gingrich explained, “It’s an eerie sound but very distinct.”
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According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, barred owls typically hatch from late March into mid-April. But they are not able to fly until seven to nine weeks of age.
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