The internet has officially entered its owl era, and South Africans are showing the world how it’s done… with “hoos” so specific they deserve awards.
South Africa (20 January 2026) – “What Sound Does An Owl Make” has taken over timelines across the world, and South Africans, as always, have arrived with full commitment, zero shame and comedy that reminds you why our country’s humour deserves its own category.
The concept is ridiculously simple: you record yourself doing an impression of what an owl might sound like… but not just any owl. An owl from a specific place, race, life stage or orientation. And what follows is an avalanche of “hoo” impressions that are so wildly specific, you can’t help but laugh, even as you realise you’re about to send it to three friends with “PLEASE watch this now” in all caps.
One video gives us the “hoo” of a “Joburg Jewish Girl”. Another introduces us to the “Black Owl”. Then there’s the owl impression of a “Woman Going Through Peri-Menopause”. The Nelson Mandela Owl. And of course, the “Gay” owl impression.
It’s the specificity that makes it work. It’s not just a sound, it’s a character. A whole personality. A full backstory in two syllables (sometimes just one).
And yes, depending on how people choose to do it, it could slip into being politically incorrect and horribly offensive, because the line between “this is hilarious” and “this is a bit much” can be thin on the internet. But at its best, this trend isn’t about punching down; it’s about the shared “South Africaness” of laughing at ourselves, our quirks, our communities and the wonderfully odd way human beings interpret the world.
Watch some of the funny ones we found below:
@originalmnh you ain’t ever had a pretty owl from JOBURRRG see me hoot and that’s what they prefer #satiktok🇿🇦 #joburg #owl ♬ original sound – MNH‼️
@laurakelly.mp3 Owl impressions pt. 2 – Nelson Mandela 🦉🇿🇦 #capetown #2026 #memes #nelsonmandela #robbenlsland ♬ nhạc nền – emthamne – Hà Linh
@bokangntsutle My interpretation of a South African owl – Coloured edition #owl #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #coloured #bokangntsutle #trending ♬ original sound – Bokangntsutle
@jaymadethis #owl #impression ♬ original sound – JayMadeThis
@gugzthe3rdMore like an East Rand Township owl 🦉♬ original sound – Gugz
@agirlnamedcassidy #owl #owlimpression #southafrica ♬ original sound – Cassidy Nicholson
@kimstephenscape #owlimpression #owl #owltrend #southafrica ♬ original sound – KimStephensCape
@mitchmatyana Did I just an owl impression of myself okes??? Who Okes??? #owlimpression ♬ original sound – Mitch Matyana
@arweneybers idk #hadidaxowlxyoma #bored #owl #owlfromsouthafrica #owlimpression ♬ original sound – arwen
And if you do join the trend, please, for the love of all good things… send it to your friends. The world could do with a few more laughs right now.
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