Voice
A prolonged series of barbet-like whistles, 'hoop hoop hoop wup-wup-wup pupupupupu' and a quavering trill, increasing steadily in volume, 'wu u u u u u u u'. Also various squawks, barks and churrs.
Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) [XC114622]
by Mike Nelson from Gonphu, Manas National Park, Zhemgang, Bhutan (call)
Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) [XC73021]
by Pascal Christe from Pine Crest Resort, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India (song)
Subspecies
Possibly forms superspecies with Javan Owlet (Glaucidium castanopterum). Sometimes considered to include Javan Owlet (Glaucidium castanopterum) and Chestnut-backed Owlet (Glaucidium castanotum) as subspecies.
The following 8 subspecies are recognised:
cuculoides (Vigors, 1831) - Himalayas from north-eastern Pakistan and Kashmir east to western Sikkim.