Birds make a variety of noises and sounds depending on the species. The most common noise associated with birds is the “squawking” or “squawking” sound. This is typically made by larger bird species, especially parrots, crows, ravens, seagulls, and other larger bird species.
What does squawking mean?
The term “squawking” is an onomatopoeia – a word that phonetically imitates a sound. When a bird “squawks”, it makes a loud, harsh cry or scream. The squawk is often repetitive or continuously repeated. It serves different purposes for birds:
- Communication – Squawking can communicate alarm, announce territory or mates, maintain flocks, and other forms of bird communication.
- Warning – Squawks may warn other birds of potential danger or threats.
- Distress – Injured, scared, or agitated birds may squawk loudly as a distress call.
- Captive birds – Pet birds like parrots often squawk frequently from boredom, desire for attention, or frustration in captivity.
So in summary, a “squawk” is a loud, abrasive cry that birds make, often repeated continuously. It can serve social functions but sometimes signals alarm or distress in the bird.
What birds squawk?
Some examples of common birds known for squawking loudly include:
- Parrots – Parrots are extremely vocal birds that frequently squawk in captivity or in the wild.
- Macaws – Large, long-tailed parrots that use loud squawks to communicate.
- Cockatoos – Identifiable by their ear-piercing squawks and screams.
- Crows – Crows have a wide repertoire of calls, including rattles, caws, and squawks.
- Ravens – Similar to crows, ravens produce deep, croaking squawks.
- Seagulls – Seagulls are known for noisy squawking, especially when begging for food.
- Jays – From the crow family, jays are vocal birds that squawk aggressively.
- Parakeets – Small parrots that chirp, shriek, and squawk often.
- Lovebirds – Small, stocky parrots that produce loud, high-pitched squawks.
- Cockatiels – Extroverted cockatoos that use squawks to communicate playfully.
In general, larger bird species in the parrot family produce the most typical squawking noises as a form of communication. Birds of prey like eagles and hawks do not squawk, but may scream at times. Small songbirds like finches also do not squawk.
Why do birds squawk?
Birds squawk for a variety of different reasons depending on the context and species. Some main reasons birds vocalize through squawking include:
- Social communication – Squawks maintain flocks, attract mates, locate family groups, and other forms of bird social interaction.
- Alarm – Sudden loud squawking may indicate fear or presence of a predator or threat that alerts other birds.
- Territoriality – Birds squawk to claim territory and resources for nesting and feeding.
- Distress – Injured birds squawk loudly to signal pain or danger that requires group attention.
- Begging – Young birds squawk frequently and loudly to beg for food from parents.
- Boredom – Captive birds like parrots often squawk from boredom and lack of stimulation.
- Frustration – Birds may squawk due to conditions that frustrate them, like captivity or lack of flight.
- Attention – Some birds learn that squawking gets them human attention, which encourages the behavior.
The shared theme is that squawking represents a loud vocalization to either warn, gather attention, communicate need, or signal urgency within the social flock or group.
What other noises do birds make?
While squawking is a characteristic bird call, birds actually make a wide diversity of sounds. Other noises birds produce include:
- Chirping – A short, high-pitched vocalization often used by songbirds.
- Chattering – Rapid clicks, chatters, or noises some birds use to communicate.
- Cawing – The rough, croaking call made by crows and ravens.
- Twittering – Lighter chirping sounds produced in longer strings.
- Mimicry – Some birds can mimic human speech, other bird calls, or environmental sounds.
- Songs – Complex melodious calls used to attract mates or claim territory.
- Rasping – Harsh, grating sounds like that made by grackles.
- Clucking – The distinct clucks some female birds use when nesting.
- Whistling – Clear, whistle-like calls used by some species.
- Screeching – High, piercing screams often for alarm or aggression.
- Humming – The buzzing hum of hummingbirds, doves, and pigeons.
- Tapping – Woodpeckers tap loudly on surfaces with their beaks.
Bird vocalizations can be songs, calls,Alarm – Sudden loud squawking may indicate fear or presence of a predator or threat that alerts other birds.
The shared theme is that squawking represents a loud vocalization to either warn, gather attention, communicate need, or signal urgency within the social flock or group.
What other noises do birds make?
While squawking is a characteristic bird call, birds actually make a wide diversity of sounds. Other noises birds produce include:
- Chirping – A short, high-pitched vocalization often used by songbirds.
- Chattering – Rapid clicks, chatters, or noises some birds use to communicate.
- Cawing – The rough, croaking call made by crows and ravens.
- Twittering – Lighter chirping sounds produced in longer strings.
- Mimicry – Some birds can mimic human speech, other bird calls, or environmental sounds.
- Songs – Complex melodious calls used to attract mates or claim territory.
- Rasping – Harsh, grating sounds like that made by grackles.
- Clucking – The distinct clucks some female birds use when nesting.
- Whistling – Clear, whistle-like calls used by some species.
- Screeching – High, piercing screams often for alarm or aggression.
- Humming – The buzzing hum of hummingbirds, doves, and pigeons.
- Tapping – Woodpeckers tap loudly on surfaces with their beaks.
Bird vocalizations can be songs, calls, mating displays, warning sounds, or aggressive noises. The diversity of avian sounds reflects the communication needs and behaviors of different species.
How do birds make squawking and other noises?
Birds do not have vocal cords like humans. Instead, they produce sound via specialized avian vocal organs:
- Syrinx – The sound-producing vocal organ, located at the bifurcation of the trachea.
- Trachea – Transports air to and from the lungs.
- Bronchi – Tubes branching from the trachea to the lungs.
- Lungs – Provide air flow and pressure for vocalization.
- Air sacs – Air pockets that connect to lungs and hollow bones.
- Beak – Shapes and amplifies vocalizations as sound exits.
During squawking or singing, birds control airflow from the lungs through the trachea and into the syrinx. The syrinx contains vibrating membranes that modulate airflow into sound. Muscles adjust the syrinx shape to control pitch, frequency, volume, and quality of sounds. Air then moves through the oral and nasal cavities to produce distinct tones and timbres before being emitted through the beak.
Why do birds have different squawks and sounds?
Bird species have evolved distinct vocal repertoires due to several key factors:
- Syrinx anatomy – Size, membrane shape, muscle control create vocal variability.
- Beak shape – Length and shape filters sounds into unique qualities.
- Habitat – Sound transmission properties select for bird sounds.
- Social needs – Complex social interactions require more vocal communications.
- Sexual selection – Showier or more complex songs evolved for courtship.
- Mimicry – Some birds evolve excellent mimicry abilities.
The evolutionary pressures of natural and sexual selection have driven speciation of bird sounds for survival needs like avoiding predators, defending territories, navigating habitats, and courtship displays. Squawks, chirps, songs, and other vocalizations reflect the intersection of anatomy, environment, behavior, and evolution.
Conclusion
In summary, the “squawk” is a loud, harsh vocalization commonly made by many larger bird species. It serves a variety of social purposes like alarming others, defending territories, begging for food, or gathering attention. The abrasive, repetitive nature of the squawk stands in contrast to more melodious bird calls like songs and chirps. Squawks are produced via specialized avian vocal anatomy adapted through evolution for the needs of different species. Understanding the meaning of bird squawks and other vocalizations provides insight into the secret world of bird communication and behavior.