owl id (no pic)

Is anyone familiar with the types of owls that would be found in my area? Every night for the last few weeks we have some owls in woods at the back of our house that go on and on ... one is the typical whoo whoo whoo but there is another "something" that talks back that is more of a cackle sound. It's really spooky! Any help in sorting out these sounds would be appreciated.

Could be two different Owls. I hope this link helps, once you click the link scroll down youll see a recording for the Great-horned Owl, scroll down further and you will see the list of Owls that you can check the sound you heard for matches.
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/7/overview/Great_Horned_Owl.aspx

Thanks for the help. That link reinforced what I think is the answer: Barred Owls

http://www.northlandoutdoors.com/index_articles.cfm?id=20849&property_id=3

Here’s an owl with perhaps the widest variety of vocalizations of any owl. Those of you unfamiliar with the nighttime language of barred owls are either in for a real treat, a real scare, or both. Barred owls are known to screech, scream, hiss, squeak, whisper, whistle, cry, bark, buzz, growl, and even laugh. These other, more bizarre sounds are produced anytime during the year, day or night. Yet it is during the late winter/early spring breeding season when barred owl couples become especially raucous.

I use whatbird.com but they are not alway's accurate. I also use http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html which seems to be more accurate as far as bird song's and call's go.

Sounds like an adult ("the typical whoo whoo whoo"), and its fledged young demanding to be fed ("another "something" that talks back that is more of a cackle sound").

Resin

Burd - thanks for that last link. What a good website!

Resin - This sound - I wish I had a recording to post - if it is from a young bird it is the young of the devil! It is a louder and stronger sound than the "whooing". It puts the hair up on the back of my neck and raises the hair on the dog too. It's quite something.

Listen to calls of young Great Horned Owls. They make some very creepy screaches and screams. Barred Owls usually sound more like monkeys with their vocalizations outside of the who cooks for you, who cooks for you alllll call. Barn Owls have a very non-owl like call as well, keaak type scream. My guess is fledged great horned. timing sounds about right for a fledged GH in minnesota too.