Bird Sounds: Learn to Recognize Different Bird Calls

Bird lovers know that one of the most relaxing things to do is listen to birds. Whether you are hiking thousands of miles to hear a rare bird call or sitting outside watching common yard birds, listening to their calls is incredible.

Birds, though, make all sorts of sounds, and it's understandable to want to identify them when you can't see them. Understanding bird sounds can enrich your outdoor experience as you expertly name them without even glimpsing them. So, how do you tell them apart? And which birds make multiple sounds? 

Read through the article to discover interesting information on bird sounds, including the more common ones.

What Are the Sounds of Birds?

How many sounds do birds make? Well, the answer depends on the species. However, to name a few, some bird sounds include chirping, whistling, drumming, croaking, and rattling.

Birds make noises to warn other birds of predators and to find a mate during mating season. These calls can be a short tweet or a long twittering call.

How Do I Identify a Bird by Its Sound?

Identifying a bird by its call has never been easier. You no longer have to memorize the sounds and research them heavily.

Instead, bird lovers should use bird call apps that listen and compare bird calls to identify the species. They aren't always accurate, but they work better than our ears.

There are also websites where you can post your bird sounds and compare them to others in the area. You can even join a birdwatching group in your home state or town to discover each sound and talk with professionals.

What Bird Sounds Like a Jackhammer?

Have you ever been outside peacefully drinking coffee and heard a hammering sound? Well, it might not be your neighbor working on construction. Plenty of birds make a jackhammering or knocking sound, including woodpeckers.

Even the smallest woodpecker species, the downy woodpecker, which grows up to around seven inches long, makes a jackhammering sound, but why?

Woodpeckers aren't like other birds. Instead of searching the ground for worms or feasting on seeds at bird feeders, they eat insects. To find insects, they peck on the wood of trees, uncovering insects hiding. They also peck to create nests for shelter.

What Bird Sounds Like Hoo Hoo Hoo?

Just like how birds come in many different shapes and sizes, they also make very different sounds. While a woodpecker is known for their hammering sounds and sparrows for their songs, some birds make a hoo-hoo (hooting) sound.

And it's not just owls! To start, owls are known for their hooting calls that you can hear at night. This sound is specifically attributed to the great horned owl.

Great horned owls are large and majestic birds reaching about 25 inches in length. They hunt mainly at night, making them hard to see. They also have various calls. For instance, when a great horned owl hoots rapidly, it's to establish their territory, warning prey and predators that they are around. They have a softer call used during courtship and mating.

Owls, though, aren't the only bird species to make this familiar sound. Have you heard hooting in the morning? If yes, it's likely the mourning dove. However, a mourning dove's call is softer and sounds a little more like 'coo' than 'hoo.'

What Bird Sounds Like Pew Pew Pew?

If you have a bird feeder with seeds, then you've likely heard a 'pew pew pew' sound throughout the day. Do you know who it belongs to? More than likely, it's the northern cardinal, also known for its vibrant red feathers.

Funny enough, these adorable birds have a call that sounds a lot like a short laser gun. While only male northern cardinals sport the iconic red feathers, both sing this tune, although it's more common in spring.

The 'pew pew pew' sound is distinctive for how rapid it is. For instance, it starts off slow, while increasing in speed to a rapid laser sound.

What Do Eagles Really Sound Like?

Americans might be surprised to know that eagles sound nothing like they do in movies. If you see a bald eagle sing or cry out, know they won't be making the iconic movie sound.

Instead, that screech belongs to the red-tailed hawk, known for their powerful voice. Bald eagles have a lighter, more high-pitched whistling call.

What Do Ducks Sound Like?

With over 130 species of ducks in the world, it's hard to pinpoint an exact sound they all make. However, the sound we most attribute to ducks is distinct and very different compared to other bird species.

Ducks make all kinds of sounds, although we mostly know about the 'quack quack' sound, which mallards make. Other ducks are quieter or sound more like geese, which honk.

Can You Attract Birds With Bird Sounds?

It's easier to attract birds by creating an environment they like with plenty of food, water, and shelter. But what about using your phone or a speaker to create bird sounds? Will this attract them to your yard? The short answer is probably not.

Playing a bird call can attract birds, but it is debated amongst the bird-loving community as being cruel. When you play these sounds, you can confuse birds, leading them to act defensively and stressed as they think another bird has entered their territory.

Instead of relying on sound, build an environment for the birds you want to attract. If you want ducks in your yard, build a pond with vegetation they can eat. If you want more songbirds or cardinals, put up bird seed feeders.

Wrapping Up

All in all, pinpointing exactly which bird is making a noise can be hard. Some bird species have similar songs, while others are distinctive enough to be known.

For instance, a quack is likely from a duck, while a long whistling call can be from any songbird. A good way to tell which bird is making what sound is to record the sound and use an app or website to compare it to others.

FAQs

1. What does a screech owl sound like?

Screech owls make a lot of bird sounds and calls. They are best known for their screeching, whiny call, typically done during nesting season.

2. What do parakeets sound like?

Parakeets are a lot different than screech owls, so it's not strange to know they have a very different call. Parakeets sing a chatter of short notes that sound like a chirrup. They can also mimic sounds.

3. What sounds do northern cardinals make?

Northern cardinals, known for their brilliant red plumage, make a lot of sounds. However, they are best known for their fast, laser-like call that increases with intensity as it goes on.