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) [XC206574]
by Oscar Campbell from Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Amphoe Mae Poen, Chang Wat Nakhon Sawan, Thailand (call)
Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) [XC893049]
by Arnold Meijer from Nonggang Natural Reserve, Guangxi, China (aberrant, call)
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.