There are a few birds that are known for making crying or wailing noises that sound similar to a human baby’s cry. The most common birds that produce these unusual vocalizations are the White-throated Sparrow, the Killdeer, and the Eastern Screech Owl. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of these species and explore why their cries can sound so humanlike. We’ll also discuss some theories on why certain bird species may have evolved to mimic the sound of a crying human infant.
The White-throated Sparrow’s Song
The White-throated Sparrow is a small songbird found throughout forests across much of North America. It has distinctive black and white striping on its head and a bright white throat.
One of the most recognizable parts of the White-throated Sparrow’s song is a loud, drawn-out whistling note that drops in pitch at the end. This whistled note is often described as sounding eerily similar to the crying of a human baby.
Ornithologists believe there are a few possible reasons why the White-throated Sparrow has evolved this unique sound:
- Mimicking a baby’s cry could help alert and locate their mate or offspring
- The crying noise carries well through dense forest vegetation
- The descending pitch at the end is attention-grabbing to other birds
Research has shown that female white-throated sparrows do indeed react more strongly to playbacks of the crying vocalization than other songs in the males’ repertoire. Mimicking a baby’s cry may help the males attract a mate or protect their territory.
The Killdeer’s Distinctive Cry
The Killdeer is a type of plover bird found in open fields, golf courses, and wetlands across North America. It is named for its loud, piercing “kill-deer” call.
When defending its nest or seeking attention, the Killdeer will produce a loud, wailing cry that rises and falls in pitch. To many listeners, this resembles the desperate crying of a human infant.
Killdeer nest on the ground in shallow scrapes, so their eggs and young are very vulnerable to predators and other dangers. Ornithologists theorize that the crying noise helps the Killdeer deter potential nest raiders. The sound attracts the parent birds who aggressively defend their nest site. It may also signal to predators that the adult Killdeers are aware of their presence and prepared to attack.
In essence, the Killdeer’s baby-like cry is an effective alarm call and defense mechanism against threats to their offspring. When an adult Killdeer hears its own young crying for food or comfort, it also stimulates urgent parental instincts to protect the vulnerable chicks.
The Eastern Screech Owl’s Wail
The Eastern Screech Owl is a small species of owl found throughout Eastern North America. They inhabit wooded and suburban areas and nest in tree cavities or nest boxes.
One of the Eastern Screech Owl’s most recognizable vocalizations is a haunting, wavering cry that ascends and descends in pitch. This eerie wailing call can last for over 10 seconds.
To many listeners, the screech owl’s cry resembles the desperate sobbing of a human infant. Ornithologists have proposed several theories about why this small owl makes such an un-owllike sound:
- Their large heads and forward-facing eyes give them excellent binocular vision but small ear tufts, so the baby-cry call compensates for their reduced hearing
- The wavering cry may mimic small prey animals like rabbits or rodents in distress, luring in predators
- It may communicate alarm, warnings, or hunger to other owls
Interestingly, both male and female Eastern Screech Owls make this crying call equally. It is thought to help the nocturnal birds identify potential mates, defend territories, or contact their offspring. The eerie wail carries surprisingly far and can be heard up to a mile away on quiet nights.
Why Do Some Birds Mimic a Human Baby’s Cry?
Bird calls that mimic a human baby crying are fairly rare in the avian world. Only a small percentage of bird species make noises that align with a human infant’s distress vocalizations. This suggests the behavior likely evolved for specific reasons.
Here are some of the leading theories that may explain why certain bird species imitate a baby’s cry:
- Defense of vulnerable chicks – By mimicking a vulnerable infant’s cry, parent birds can signal distress and summon their mate to help defend nests or chicks.
- Coaxing a parental response – Some birds may exploit an instinctive parental reaction to a baby’s cry, causing adults to urgently seek out the source of the call.
- Mimicking prey – Certain predatory species may have adapted their cries to sound like small prey animals or rodents in distress, which attracts other predators to investigate.
- Disguising communication – In some cases, crying noises may help camouflage communication between birds that could alert rival birds or predators.
- Standing out acoustically – A loud, wailing cry may help certain species distinguish themselves within busy choruses of bird song.
The extent to which birds understand or deliberately mimic human emotions is debatable. However, their baby-like cries certainly tap into our innate reaction to an infant’s call, capturing our attention across the animal kingdom.
Notable Examples of Birds That Cry Like Babies
While the White-throated Sparrow, Killdeer, and Eastern Screech Owl are the most cited examples, there are a few other bird species worldwide whose cries resemble a human baby’s:
- The Australian Magpie’s loud wailing call ascending in pitch
- The Eurasian Golden Oriole’s weeping whistles trailing off at the end
- The Spotted Dove’s “koo-KOO-kook” call dropping in pitch
- The Gray Catbird’s moaning baby-like cries when alarmed
- The Black-billed Cuckoo’s low, guttural “ka-ka-ka” call
Certain parrot species like the Yellow-naped Amazon can even mimic the cadence and pitch of a human baby crying with incredible accuracy.
Some other birds are known for making sounds that vaguely resemble a human in distress, like the Calliope Hummingbird’s high-pitched squeaking. However, the birds listed above give consistently baby-like cries across individuals of the species.
How to Identify Birds by Their Cry
If you hear an unusual crying sound coming from birds in your yard or neighborhood, here are some identification tips:
- Note the habitat – Is it near woods, fields, or human structures? This can narrow down likely bird species.
- Observe time of day – Is it dawn/dusk for nocturnal birds or daytime for songbirds?
- Look for visual cues – Plumage clues, flight patterns, and behavior may help ID species.
- Compare audio qualities – Is the cry short or long? Does pitch rise or fall?
- Consider range – Compare range maps to see if species with baby-like cries inhabit your area.
- Use bird song apps – Record and compare sounds to sample recordings and visual sonograms.
With good observational skills and some audio recordings, you can pinpoint the bird behind that bizarre baby-like wailing.
Conclusion
While many birds sing beautiful songs, some species stand out for their unusual and unsettling cries that mimic human infants. The White-throated Sparrow, Killdeer, and Eastern Screech Owl are most noted for their wailing that closely resembles the desperate sobbing or distress calls of a baby. Ornithologists theorize several reasons why these birds evolved this way, from defending vulnerable chicks to attracting prey. While the crying calls tap into our protective instincts, they serve important purposes for the birds’ behavior and survival in the wild. Paying attention to the unique qualities of these vocalizations can help identify the bird species calling in your own backyard. So next time you hear a strange cry from the trees or fields, listen closely and you may decipher the bird behind that bizarre baby talk.
