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

Bullfrogs and hoot owls were jarring the ground with their deep voices.

From Literature

The only living souls to overhear us on this back road were our horses and perhaps the occasional hoot owl.

From Literature

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