There are a few birds that make a call that sounds similar to a cuckoo clock. The most common bird that people associate with a “coo coo” sound is the common cuckoo. Cuckoos are widespread birds found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. The common cuckoo is known for its distinctive two-note “coo-coo” call. When people hear this repeating two-note call, it reminds them of a cuckoo clock. However, there are other birds around the world that make sounds reminiscent of a cuckoo clock too. Keep reading to learn more about what birds sound like a coo coo clock.
Common Cuckoo
The common cuckoo is the bird most strongly associated with the classic “coo coo” call that mimics a cuckoo clock. This species of cuckoo is found throughout much of Europe and Asia. The male common cuckoo makes the distinctive “coo coo” sound in the spring to attract females and define its territory. Each repetition of the two-note call sounds like a cuckoo clock going off. This is because clockmakers specifically designed mechanical cuckoo clocks to imitate the call of the common cuckoo. So when people hear the common cuckoo’s call in nature, it immediately reminds them of a cuckoo clock. While there are many types of cuckoos worldwide, the common cuckoo is certainly the one whose call sounds most like a clock.
Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
While the common cuckoo is found in the Eastern Hemisphere, there are species of cuckoos in North America that also make a “coo coo” sound. The most well-known is the yellow-billed cuckoo. This medium-sized bird breeds in North America and winters in South America. Its call consists of a series of “coo coo” notes, although usually more rushed and less evenly spaced than the common cuckoo. Yellow-billed cuckoos make these cooing sounds most frequently in the early summer when breeding. The species prefers open woodlands near water. So if you hear a repetitive two-note bird call that brings to mind a cuckoo clock coming from a swampy woodland in summer, chances are it is a yellow-billed cuckoo.
Pigeon
Perhaps surprisingly, certain varieties of pigeons also make sounds reminiscent of a cuckoo clock. Domestic and wild rock pigeons sometimes make a repetitive two-note cooing sound, often transcribed as “coo-crooo” or “coo roo”. The first note is a deep, low-pitched “coo” while the second note is higher pitched. The two notes often run together smoothly, creating a call that sounds like a faulty or distorted cuckoo clock. This cooing sound is most often made by male pigeons in the spring to attract a mate. Next time you hear a cuckoo-clock sounding call coming from a church steeple, city park, or farm silo, consider that it just might be a pigeon.
Eurasian Collared Dove
Another unlikely bird that can sound like a cuckoo clock is the Eurasian collared dove. This dove species originally comes from Asia but has been introduced around the world. It now lives wild in North America, South America, and Europe in addition to its native range. The Eurasian collared dove gets its name from the black collar on the back of its neck. Its call is a series of three notes, with the second note being longest and highest pitched. The full call sounds like “coo COO cuk”, although the first and last notes are sometimes dropped. When just the middle “COO” is repeated over and over, it sounds much like a cuckoo clock. So if you hear a monotonous series of single “coo” calls, check the treetops and powerlines overhead for a Eurasian collared dove.
Barn Owl
One nighttime bird has a call that resembles the sound of a cuckoo clock. The barn owl is found worldwide and known for its eerie, screechy calls. But at times its vocalizations can sound more like cuckoo clock cooing. When a male barn owl is trying to attract a mate, it makes a short series of hollow, wooden-sounding “coo” notes. Each note ascends slightly in pitch. With a rhythmic enough repetition, these vocalizations strongly mimic the sound of a cuckoo clock announcing the hour. If you hear an odd cuckoo clock hooting at dusk or during the night, a resident barn owl may be to blame.
Crested Pigeon
Native to Australia, the crested pigeon is another bird with a call that sounds something like a cuckoo clock. Its most common vocalization begins with two short, low “coo” notes followed by a series of higher, louder notes. The full call sounds like “coo-coo-coo-coo-coo-coo-coo”. When the crested pigeon falls into a repetitive rhythm with this call, the series of four to seven “coo” notes can resemble the ticking and striking of a cuckoo clock. This distinctive call is mainly made by male crested pigeons when breeding and defending territory. So next time you’re down under and think you hear a cuckoo clock, consider looking up to find a vocal crested pigeon instead.
Caspian Plover
Here’s one more bird from halfway around the world with a call reminiscent of a cuckoo clock. The Caspian plover breeds in central Asia and some parts of eastern Europe. Its two-note call sounds like “koo-wick”. While the second note descends in pitch, the first note alone makes a sound similar to a cuckoo clock. During breeding season, the male Caspian plover repeats this loud, whistling “koo” note while flying over its territory. The repetitions at a steady rhythm sound like a reliable cuckoo clock ticking away. So if you hear something like a broken cuckoo clock coming from the sky in central Asia, listen for the unusual call of the Caspian plover.
Birds That Sound Like Faulty Cuckoo Clocks
Several other birds make sounds that resemble a cuckoo clock that isn’t working quite right. These calls may sound like distorted, electronic-sounding, or otherwise abnormal cuckoo clock cooing. Birds that can sound like broken, warped, or wobbly cuckoo clocks include:
- Eurasian Eagle Owl – Its uneven hoots sometimes sound like a cuckoo clock with a dying battery.
- Elf Owl – Its accelerated, sputtering cackling can resemble a fast-forwarded cuckoo clock.
- Common Loon – Its maniacal laughs and wails occasionally take on a cuckoo clock tone.
- Upland Sandpiper – Its wavering whistle sometimes imitates a cuckoo clock winding down.
- Brown Thrasher – Its chatters and calls can mimic a cuckoo clock with a few loose parts.
So if you hear an unusual cuckoo clock-like sound coming from a lake, forest, or grassland, consider looking and listening for one of these birds as the source. Their vocalizations may sound less than perfectly “normal” for a cuckoo clock but can certainly evoke one in distressed mechanical shape.
Conclusion
While the iconic common cuckoo of Europe and Asia is best known for its classic cuckoo clock call, a diverse array of birds around the world make sounds reminiscent of ticking and striking cuckoo clocks. Cuckoos, pigeons, doves, owls, plovers, sandpipers, and thrashers can all produce cooing, hooting, laughing, and whistling sounds that evoke cuckoo clocks to various degrees of accuracy. Whether perfectly imitating clockwork or sounding more like distressed or distorted mechanisms, their vocalizations are a reminder of how sounds from the natural world often inspired humans to build mechanical devices that imitate nature. So next time you hear a bird that reminds you of a cuckoo clock, look and listen more closely to determine exactly which species is responsible for the sound. Chances are, it’s a bird you may not have expected!