hoot owl

American  

noun

1. any of various owls that hoot.

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hoot owl British  

noun

1. any owl that utters a hooting cry, as distinct from a screech owl

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Etymology

Origin of hoot owl

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Montana imposed similar “hoot owl” restrictions — so called because owls can be active early in the morning — on fabled trout rivers including the Madison flowing out of Yellowstone.

From Seattle Times

For those readers who already know the difference between hoot owls and barn owls, and for those who never knew of their existence, Sherrell awakens a new urgency for reform.

From Washington Post

Beyond hoot owl limits, those who fish have been asked to rapidly land their catch and carefully and quickly release them, to minimize the stress of handling and reduce the potential for killing them.

From Seattle Times

A barred owl, also called a hoot owl, draws curious onlookers Monday as it perches in the the Woodland Garden in the Washington Park Arboretum.

From Seattle Times

Consider Eleanor Roosevelt, whom they nicknamed “old hoot owl” and deemed a dangerous socialist after she left the White House.

From Washington Times