The UK is home to a diverse array of bird species, some of which produce calls that sound like lasers from science fiction movies and TV shows. Birds make sounds for a variety of reasons, including claiming territory, attracting mates, signaling alarm or communicating with one another. While most bird vocalizations are pleasant to our ears, some truly sound like laser guns or phaser blasts. So which common UK bird has a call that resembles futuristic sound effects? Let’s investigate some likely candidates.
European Robin
The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a common and widespread songbird found throughout the UK. Male Robins are known for their loud, melodious warbling songs, but they also have a harsh, metallic alarm call that sounds like a laser gun.
When threatened or angry, the Robin will make a repeated “tic” or “zip” sound that cuts sharply through the air. This call is often transcribed as “zit-zit-zit-zit” or “tic-a-tic-a-tic-a”. It’s shrill, abrupt and does conjure up images of a ray gun or phaser on the fritz.
The Robin’s alarm call serves to signal danger and warn off potential predators. It’s thought that the unnatural, un-birdlike quality of the sound startles predators as if they’ve encountered something unknown and dangerous. So while lasers don’t actually exist in nature, the Robin has evolved an impressive replica sound.
Eurasian Jay
The Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) is another UK bird whose calls could double for sci-fi sound effects. When flocking or mobbing predators, Jays will make loud, tearing “schaar” shrieks interspersed with harsh cracking “kraa” cries.
The initial “schaar” call has a rough, mechanical quality like an ion cannon powering up. And the follow-up “kraa” call sounds like a laser blast or force field discharge. So while mobbing a predator, a flock of angry Jays truly sounds like something out of Star Wars.
Jays are masters of mimicry and have a huge repertoire of sounds. Their laser-esque shrieks and cracks likely evolved to startle predators and communicate alarm in dense woodland. So that random laser battle you hear in the forest may just be some Jays mobbing a stoat.
Northern Lapwing
The Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) produces one of the most unusual and sci-fi sounds of any UK bird. When alarmed, the Lapwing gives a wheezing, metallic alarm call likened to a phaser set on overload.
Lapwing defense calls often sound like “pee-wit, pee-wit.” But when seriously alarmed, they’ll make an urgent, ringing “pixit” or “ti-pixit” call. This wheezing, electrified sound is hard to describe but distinctly laser-like. It sounds like an alien weapon powering up and about to fire.
Lapwings make this unusual call when defending nests or distracting predators. The wheezing, buzzing quality likely mimics the wingbeats of dangerous wasps as a warning. But it’s still impressive that a bird can sound like a malfunctioning photon cannon.
Common Starling
While best known for their melodious song mixes, Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) also make great laser sound effects. When gathered in large flocks, Starlings will chatter and murmur to each other with various beeps, whirs and clicks.
Some of these calls have a distinct laser gun quality. There are truncated, buzzy “zwing” whistles. And wavering, zap-like “zwarr” calls. Flocking Starlings can produce fast successions of beeps, whirs and zaps that perfectly mimic a space laser battle.
Of course, Starlings don’t sound this way to be sci-fi. They’re just communicating location and movements to maintain the flock. But it’s still an impressive imitation of pew-pew-pew laser volleys. So next time you hear a Starling flock, listen for photon torpedoes incoming.
Common Swift
The Common Swift (Apus apus) is named for its superbly fast and agile flight. And fittingly, Swifts also produce sounds reminiscent of lasers when screaming overhead.
Swifts have various shrill, screaming calls. One particular call, an aggressive “zreep”, has a piercing, buzzy laser quality. Swifts can repeat these “zreep” calls rapidly when squabbling over nest sites or pursuing one another. This evokes images of dogfighting Starfighters exchanging laser cannon fire.
Swifts make these loud calls to establish territories and pursue mates in places where visibility is poor. But science fiction sound designers would be wise to record Swifts to produce laser fight scenes. Their “zreep-zreep-zreep” screams are perfect for a space battle.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
The Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) also makes a remarkably laser-like call in the spring. Its nest-hole inspection and excavation call is a loud, rapid-fire tapping that evokes a laser pistol set to “semiautomatic.”
This drumroll-like call sounds like “krrr-krrr-krrr” or “prrt-prrt-prrt” as the Woodpecker taps potential nest holes at up to 15 times per second. It’s a distinct, sharp sound that carries well through woodlands.
Of course, the Great Spotted Woodpecker is just communicating through its primary medium of wood. But its nest hole call provides a great replica of a handheld laser weapon set to rapid fire.
Eurasian Jackdaw
The familiar “chaak-chaak” call of the Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) also has a bit of laser flair to it. When excited or aggressive, the second “chaak” call becomes sharper and higher-pitched, sounding more like “chaak-zhaak” or even “chaak-tzaak.”
This call variation sounds like a laser blast rapidly powering up. Jackdaws will make the “chaak-tzaak” call when mobbing or warning each other, adding a hint of danger. So next time you hear an agitated Jackdaw, listen for that “powering up” laser quality in its cry.
House Sparrow
Even the ubiquitous House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) sometimes makes laser sounds. Male House Sparrows have a scolding call that sounds like a short laser blast.
When threatening rivals or predators, male House Sparrows will issue a harsh “pheut” call. This call is abrupt and piercing, resembling a laser zap or a phaser on stun setting. It’s also mimics the wing beats of predatory birds, conveying a warning.
So don’t be surprised if a bickering bunch of House Sparrows sound like a skirmish from Star Wars. Their scolding “pheut” calls add just the right laser flair.
Conclusion
While no UK birds actually fire lasers, several species can produce calls that sound convincingly laser-like to our ears. Birds like the European Robin, Eurasian Jay, Northern Lapwing, Common Starling, Common Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Jackdaw and House Sparrow all make sounds reminiscent of sci-fi laser effects.
These birds tend to make their laser-esque calls when alarmed, defending territories or mobbing predators. The unnatural, piercing quality of these sounds likely helps startle predators and convey urgent threats. It’s impressive how much birds can manipulate their vocalizations to mimic sounds far beyond nature.
So next time you hear odd, buzzy, beeping or tapping sounds from UK birds, imagine you’ve just been plunged into an intergalactic battle! Our birds may not be armed with real lasers, but their amazing calls certainly provide the sound effects.
