There was an owl in the woods behind the house last night

[HeeBGBz]

His hoot hooting was oddly soothing. After a while it almost sounded like a dove.

[Quakerfriend]

1. Yes, it is a soothing sound .

sort of melancholy and soothing at the same time, don't you think?

How you been able to identify what type of owl it is?

[HeeBGBz]

2. I haven't yet

I've heard owls before, but this seemed a little different call. It seemed more subdued. Not as a pronounced Hoo HOO.

I nailed some suet on an old post today. Maybe he'll come eat it. Hawks do that, but I don't know if owls do. My guess is they might prefer live catches.

[amazona]

3. where do you live?

There are some owl calls online. Quite a bit of Barred Owl, I'll see if I can grab a link in a minute.

On Edit-- An excellent Barred Owl sound library is found here:

http://www.owlcam.com/soundlib/sound_lib.htm

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[XemaSab]

4. Was it a repetitive

toot-toot-toot-toot-toot

or more like a Hoo-hoo-HOOOOO!, Hoo-hoo-hu-HOOO-aaa, or Whoooo-hooo-hoooo?