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) [XC582115]
by Jelle Scharringa from Saisema monastery, lower Apsuwa valley, Sankhuwasabha (near Yaphu), Koshi, Eastern Development Region, Nepal (song)
Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) [XC294990]
by Ross Gallardy from Kaeng Krachan National Park, Ban Krang, KM 15-18, Phetchaburi, Thailand (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.