Thailand is home to a diverse array of bird species, some of which are known for their unique and noisy vocalizations. Determining exactly which bird species in Thailand produces the most noise is difficult, as there are many contenders. However, some likely candidates include the Asian Koel, the Coppersmith Barbet, and certain species of hornbill.
In the opening paragraphs, it is important to provide quick answers to key questions up front before diving into more details. To briefly answer the title question – Some of the noisiest birds in Thailand include the Asian Koel, Coppersmith Barbet, Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, and Wreathed Hornbill. These species all have loud, repetitive vocalizations that can be heard regularly throughout their ranges. The Asian Koel’s loud, piercing calls ring out across cities and forests. The Coppersmith Barbet hammers away rhythmically on dead trees. And hornbills are renowned for their loud, whooping duet calls that carry for long distances. Now let’s explore some of these noisy species in more detail.
The Asian Koel
The Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) is a species of cuckoo famous for its loud and repetitive calls. The male’s distinctive “koel” vocalization is a piercing, high-pitched “ku-oo” that rings out loudly across urban areas as well as forests. This far-carrying call is so ubiquitous in parts of Southeast Asia that the bird is named after it.
Physical Description
The Asian Koel is a largish black cuckoo measuring around 40-50 cm in length. The male is glossy blue-black with a pale greenish bill, red eyes and legs, while the female is brown with white speckling on the crown and nape.
Range and Habitat
The Asian Koel occurs widely from India and Sri Lanka eastward through Southeast Asia including Thailand, south China, and Indonesia. It inhabits a variety of wooded habitats in urban parks and gardens as well as more natural forested areas.
Breeding and Vocalizations
The Asian Koel is a brood parasite, meaning it lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, especially crows and mynas. The male’s loud “ku-oo” call advertises its territory and attracts females in the breeding season. Males begin calling before dawn, and repeat their piercing vocalizations throughout the day in the breeding season. The koel’s incessant calls ring out loudly across urban parks and gardens, earning it a reputation as an noisy pest by some.
The Coppersmith Barbet
The Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) is another species noted for its loud, repetitive calls that carry over long distances. Its common name comes from the bird’s repetitive territorial call that sounds like a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer.
Physical Description
The Coppersmith Barbet is a plump green bird with a thick black bill and red forehead and throat. It measures 15-18 cm in length. The male and female look alike.
Range and Habitat
The Coppersmith Barbet occurs from India and Sri Lanka east to Southeast Asia including Thailand. It inhabits gardens, orchards, forests, and woodlands, including urban areas with trees.
Breeding and Vocalizations
The Coppersmith Barbet breeds in holes in trees, often excavated by the birds themselves. Its territorial call is a loud, monotonous “tuk…tuk…tuk” sounding like a coppersmith repeatedly striking metal. This call can go on for long periods. Both males and females call, with males calling more frequently to establish territories and attract mates.
Hornbills
Hornbills are a family of large, distinctive birds found in tropical forests worldwide. Thailand is home to several hornbill species that are known for their loud, whooping calls.
Great Hornbill
The Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is the largest hornbill in Thailand, identified by its huge yellow and black bill with a large casque on top. It produces deep, booming calls that carry long distances through the forest. Pairs also engage in loud duets booming back and forth, which serves to communicate over large distances in dense forest habitats.
Oriental Pied Hornbill
The Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) is an abundant, widespread hornbill noted for its loud, grating, crow-like calls and their noisy duets. Their calls reverberate through mangrove forests and nearby urban areas where they occur.
Wreathed Hornbill
The Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) inhabits forests of mainland Southeast Asia. It produces far-carrying, repetitive croaking calls and loud duets between pairs. When calling together, the male and female stand side-by-side and throw their heads back, unleashing a cacophony of high-pitched cackles and screams that can be heard from miles away.
Other Noisy Birds
Beyond hornbills, barbets, and koels, there are many other birds in Thailand that contribute their fair share of noise to the soundscape:
White-vented Myna
This common myna often gathers in noisy communal roosts in urban areas, chattering loudly at dawn and dusk.
Asian Glossy Starling
Large flocks of this iridescent black starling chatter constantly with metallic, squeaky calls.
Red-whiskered Bulbul
A bird of parks and gardens, its loud, ringing calls are a background noise of urban Thailand.
White-throated Kingfisher
Its harsh, loud screams ring out as it sallies from perches to catch lizards and insects.
Lineated Barbet
Related to the Coppersmith Barbet, this species also drums loudly on branches but with a slower rhythm.
Greater Coucal
This crow-sized cuckoo has a variety of loud calls, including a bellowing “boo-boo-boo.”
Asian Koel
The male’s incessant “koel-ke-ku-ooo” call is as much a part of the urban soundscape as car horns in Thai cities.
The Noisiest Birds in Thailand
To summarize, some of the loudest and most vocal birds commonly heard in Thailand include:
Common Name | Scientific Name | Key Vocalizations |
---|---|---|
Asian Koel | Eudynamys scolopaceus | Loud, piercing “koel” call |
Coppersmith Barbet | Megalaima haemacephala | Monotonic hammering “tok” call |
Great Hornbill | Buceros bicornis | Booming duet calls |
Oriental Pied Hornbill | Anthracoceros albirostris | Noisy crow-like duets |
Wreathed Hornbill | Rhyticeros undulatus | Cackling, screaming duets |
While the above are certainly among the loudest regularly heard bird species, Thailand has a diversity of over 950 bird species, many of which contribute their voices to the complex natural soundscapes of forests, wetlands, and urban areas. But the piercing calls of koels, hammering of barbets, and raucous duets of hornbills stand out as some of the most recognizable and audible bird sounds that characterize the natural acoustic environments of Thailand.
Why Do Birds Make So Much Noise?
Birds vocalize for a variety of important reasons related to communication and territoriality:
Attracting Mates
Loud repetitive calls broadcast a male bird’s presence to potential mates across considerable distances. Females may judge a male’s fitness by his vocal skill and call persistence.
Defending Territories
Many loud calls serve to proclaim a bird’s territory, warning rival males to keep away. Persistent territorial calls deter intruders.
Staying in Contact
Birds call to maintain contact with mates and group members while out of sight in dense vegetation. Loud, far-reaching calls allow them to keep in touch.
Begging for Food
Young nestlings beg with loud squeaks and screams that tell parents they are hungry. The noise and intensity often increases with hunger.
Alarm Calls
Birds give loud alarm calls when detecting predators, warning others in the vicinity of potential danger.
So while we may find some bird calls annoying at times, all their noisy vocalizations are important biological functions for communication, territoriality, and survival. Noise is built into the nature of birds, which have evolved to take advantage of acoustic properties that allow sound to transmit over long distances as an adaptation to life in dense forests and vegetated environments where visibility is limited. Thailand’s diverse bird communities certainly take full advantage of these acoustic channels to make themselves heard loud and clear!
Cultural Significance of Noisy Birds
The loud repetitive calls of birds like koels and barbets figure prominently in Thai culture, language, and folklore. Their vocalizations are often mentioned in poems, songs, and literature. Culturally, they may represent persistence, determination, or even annoyance at times.
Some examples include:
Koel in Poetry and Song
The koel’s call is poetically equated to a longing lover or heartbroken woman crying for her beloved in traditional Thai poems and songs. Its incessant crying call evokes melancholy romantic themes.
Barbets Hammering “Tok”
The rhythmic hammering call of barbets is mentioned in folk songs as tok-tok-tok or takka-takka-takka, representing steadfastness and persistence.
Annoyance and Noise Complaints
In urban areas, loud hornbills, mynas, and koels sometimes generate noise complaints from locals. Their calls are viewed as disruptive early in the morning by some trying to sleep.
Belief in Spirit Birds
According to Thai folklore, loud nocturnal calls may come from phi nok ao, ghostly spirit birds. Their haunting cries represent ominous warnings or premonitions.
So while noisy birds may annoy us at times, they have inspired artists, musicians, and writers in Thai culture. Their prominence in folklore also shows people have long been impressed and intrigued by their loud voices that ring out through forests and cities alike.
Conclusion
Birds like the Asian Koel, Coppersmith Barbet, and various hornbill species truly earn their titles as some of the noisiest birds found in Thailand. Their loud, repetitive vocalizations are key identifiers and seem designed to grab our attention, whether we want it or not. But while their cries may irritate sleepy city-dwellers, they also bring the sounds of wild nature into urban areas. The calls connect us to thriving bird communities and serve important biological and ecological roles for the birds themselves. So next time you hear the koel’s piercing cry or the barbet’s incessant hammering, take a moment to appreciate these boisterous members of Thailand’s unique bird fauna.