Birds make a variety of noises and sounds depending on the species. While each bird’s vocalizations are unique, we can break down some of the most common bird noises into words that approximate what we hear:
Chirping
Many small songbirds like finches and sparrows make high-pitched chirping noises. We can write these sounds as “chirp chirp” or “tweet tweet.” The chirping often sounds rapid and repetitive. Chirps are used for communication between birds and can relay information about location, food sources, or dangers.
Chattering
Birds like blackbirds and magpies make fast-paced chattering noises. We can replicate this as “chatter chatter” or “chack chack.” Chattering is thought to help coordinate flocks of birds while in flight. Many species use chattering to signal alarm when a predator is nearby.
Crowing
Male roosters are known for their iconic “cock-a-doodle-doo” crowing at dawn. The crowing is a territorial signal, but also helps rouse hens from sleep. Other birds like crows make a hoarse “caw caw” noise that carries over long distances. Ravens make deeper croaking caws.
Squawking
Large parrots and cockatoos are known for their loud, raucous calls that we can replicate as “squawk!” These attention-grabbing vocalizations aid in flock communication and help the birds identify each other audibly. Seagulls are also known for noisy squawking.
Chuffing
Birds like doves and pigeons make soft “coo-COO-coo” noises, also written as “chuffing.” It’s a calmer vocalization often used between mates or parents and offspring. Mourning doves get their name from their melancholy-sounding cooing.
Screeching
Birds of prey like hawks and eagles emit piercing screeches. We can write these as “Screeee!” or “Skree-SKREE!” The loud cries are used to communicate over large home ranges and establish territory. Other birds like blue jays and grackles can make high, squealing screeches as alarm calls.
Humming
Hummingbirds get their name from the constant hum created by their rapidly beating wings, which flap 15-80 times per second. Their wings produce a sustained “hmmmmm” or buzzing sound as the birds hover and dart between flowers.
Drumming
Woodpeckers drum their beaks rapidly against tree trunks to create a loud, rhythmic tapping noise. This functions as communication to signal territory and attract mates. The drumming sound carries over long distances. Other birds like grouse and pheasants use drumming noises to demonstrate strength.
Owling
Owls are known for their eerie hoots, which we can write as “hoo hoo HOOOO” or “hoo-hoo-hoo-HOOOO.” The hoots help owls define territories and identify one another in the dark. Some owls use screeching cries while others, like barn owls, make threatening hissing noises.
Singing
Warblers, thrushes, mockingbirds, and other songbirds use complex vocalizations called songs to attract mates and communicate. Songs vary widely between species but often incorporate trills, whistles, and mimicked sounds from other birds. The most elaborate bird songs are long melodies like those of nightingales.
Clicking
Some birds snap or click their bills to make percussive noises for communication. Kingfishers make chattering clicks while flying and diving for prey. Storks bill-clap to signal each other. Woodpeckers may click their bills when agitated.
Rattling
Male ruffed grouse make a continuous, rapid rattling sound with their wings during mating displays. The noise intimidates rivals and attracts nearby females. Other birds rattle cries like the belted kingfisher, which makes a harsh rolling call, often transcribed as “rattle-rattle-rattle.”
Tinkling
Birds like bellbirds and manakins make tinkling noises to attract mates. These delicate metallic “ting” or “tok” notes are produced by specialized wing feathers or tail quills that the males rapidly vibrate. The tinkling mimics the sound of bells ringing.
Booming
Male bitterns produce an intense, loud booming call that resonates across wetlands. The “BOOM-oom-oom-oom” is made by blowing air across modified wing feathers and acts a sexual display to attract females. Other birds like grouse also make booming noises.
Popping
Snipe and woodcocks perform zig-zagging courtship flights while making a distinct popping or twittering sound with their tail feathers. This repeated “pop-pop-pop” helps the birds show off during mating rituals and attract partners.
Trumpeting
Cranes often make a loud, trumpeting call that carries for miles. The resonant horn-like vocalization functions to maintain contact and signal alarm within crane flocks. Swans also make a hoarse trumpeting noise when aggressive or excited.
Tapping
Woodpeckers use bill-tapping against tree branches to communicate with other birds and signal their presence. The sharp tapping acts like Morse code, with certain rhythms and patterns having specific meanings. Other birds also use bill tapping to attract mates.
Whistling
Some birds emit high-pitched whistling or whispering sounds, often for courtship. Male bobwhite quail make a whistled “bob-WHITE!” call that gives them their name. Doves coo in soft, whistling tones. Shorebirds like curlews whistle eerily across mudflats.
Trilling
Many songbirds create a trilled repetition of notes within their songs. The quick notes roll fluidly into a sort of vocal flourish or ornamentation, often during mating rituals. Some birds also make trill calls when delivering alarm warnings about intruders.
Bubbling
The bittern is known for its strange, hollow bubbling noises created during mating displays. The “boop-a-doop” call resonates out across reedbeds. Great crested grebes also make bubbling, popping, or rattling sounds using feathers during courtship rituals.
Trumming
Male manakins and hummingbirds modify wing feathers to make unique trumming or clicking noises to attract females. The Turks and Caicos islands are named for the “turk turk” trumming call of a local manakin species. These modified feathers vibrate rapidly to produce percussive instrumental sounds.
Croaking
Many wetland birds from marsh wrens to herons make croaking calls reminiscent of frogs. The rough, croaky vocalizations help the birds identify each other by species in densely vegetated habitats. They also signal alarm when enemies approach or relay other information.
Wailing
Some birds utter haunting, wailing cries that give voice to the wilderness. Common loons are famous for their eerie, yodeling wails that echo across lakes. Sora rails also make an odd wailing-whinnying sound. These otherworldly calls are territorial warnings.
Cackling
A number of bird species make raucous cackling calls for various reasons. Geese cackle loudly when excited or endangered. Many types of gallinule waterfowl emit cackling cries too. Kingfishers and terns give harsh, laughing cackles to signal territory.
Honking
Geese are well known for their loud honking calls which help maintain contact and coordination within flocks, especially during migration. Swans also make deep hoarse honking calls when aggressive or territorial. Male Manx shearwaters make honking sounds to attract mates.
Barking
Birds like greenshanks and curlews make loud, ringing barks to defend territories and warn others. Oystercatchers have piercing, piping barks as well. The far-carrying vocalization allows shorebirds to space themselves out on busy mudflats.
Quacking
Some duck species have distinctive-sounding quacks, like the black duck’s raspy, hoarse quacking. Female ducks quack frequently to maintain social bonds. Ducks may also make frantic quacking noises when scared or to call their ducklings.
Tuning
Songbirds like skylarks sometimes make a continuous, musical twittering noise while hovering high overhead. We can think of this as the bird tuning or warming up its voice before bursting into full melodic song. Tuning encourages other birds to sing.
Tisking
Small groups of birds like chickadees and titmice make “tisk” noises as they flock around to forage and socialize. The thin, high-pitched call helps keep the birds in auditory contact so they can coordinate movements and foraging behavior.
Bill Clicking
Herons and storks loudly clack their bills during courtship displays or when agitated. The sharp clicking sound can function as a territorial signal or threat display. Other wetland birds like coots also make bill-clicking noises to defend areas.
Conversational Chattering
Birds like jays and mynas use extensive repertoire of chirps, whistles, and chatter to “talk” amongst themselves. While we can’t fully translate their meanings, the back-and-forth vocalizations appear conversational as the birds coordinate activities.
Mimicry
Some birds excel at mimicry, copying sounds from other birds or even human speech. Mockingbirds and lyrebirds mimic other species’ songs and calls. Some parrots can reproduce sounds like telephone ringing, laughter, and words.
Dueting
Some tropical bird pairs perform precisely coordinated duets, almost like singing a duet. Pairs may trade off syllables, harmonize, or echo certain phrases. Duetting helps pairs stay in contact and defend territory. Songbirds, hummingbirds, and parrots are noted duetters.
Wolf Whistling
Manakins and campephilus woodpeckers make an unusual wolf-whistle sound to attract mates. The birds modify outer tail feathers so they can forcefully blow air through them to create a piercing whistle, like a human whistling loudly.
Tremolo
Loons, grebes, and some other waterbirds create an eerie, shaking tremolo cry to signal distress or aggression. The wavering, pulsating call varies in pitch and conveys different emotional states depending on context.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored here, bird vocalizations are extremely diverse and varied by species. While we can only approximate many bird calls and songs in human words and sounds, listening carefully helps us appreciate the complexity of avian communication. Paying attention to bird noises opens our ears to the lively conversations constantly taking place around us.
| Bird Type | Common Vocalizations |
|---|---|
| Finches | Chirping |
| Crows | Cawing |
| Doves | Cooing |
| Woodpeckers | Drumming |
| Parrots | Squawking |
| Owls | Hooting |
| Hawks | Screeching |
| Geese | Honking |
| Ducks | Quacking |
| Loons | Wailing |
