What is a hoot and which bird makes this cry?

Hoot is the vocal sound made by owls. Owls are well known for their piercing, distinctive calls, which they use to communicate with each other and to defend their territories.

Here are some common owl species known for their hooting calls:

1. Barn Owl (Tyto alba): The barn owl emits a long, drawn-out "whooooo" call.

2. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus): This owl produces a deep, low-pitched "hoo-hoo-hooo" call.

3. Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio): The Eastern Screech-Owl makes a high-pitched, tremolo-like "hoo-hoo-hoo" sound.

4. Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus): This small owl produces a high-pitched, whistled "too-too-too" call.

5. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus): The Long-eared Owl's call is a series of low-pitched, hooting "hoo" sounds.

These are just a few examples of owls known for their hooting calls. Owls often produce different vocalizations depending on their species and the specific context, such as territorial defense, courtship, or communication between mates.