I was recently at the coast of NC drinking my coffee early one morning when I heard a beautiful "tu-WHIT-hooo-hooo-hooo" in the distance. The "hoo hoo" is usually associated with the owl but this was well after sunrise and I know owl sounds from when my babies would wake in the middle of the night for feedings. I don't feel like this is an owl. I've also listened to online owl recordings and can't find the right call.

This morning, lo and behold, I'm eating breakfast in Charlotte (NC) and I hear the same bird! It was so loud and so close to the house that my husband went out to investigate. And it was such a strong, full call that in my imagination the bird is bigger than our cat.

Any ideas what it might be?