Barking Owl

The Barking Owl is a medium-sized hawk-owl widely distributed across mainland Australia (except central regions), New Guinea, and nearby islands. Named for its unmistakable dog-like “wook-wook” call, it is also known as the “screaming-woman bird” due to its chilling, human-like wailing cry. This charismatic nocturnal bird is more often heard than seen, especially in wooded habitats near water.