There are a few different birds that are known to make beeping or chirping sounds at night. The most common night birds that produce these types of calls include owls, nighthawks, whip-poor-wills, and frogs. Identifying the specific bird making the beeping noise can be tricky, but looking at the sound characteristics, location, and time of year can help narrow it down. In this article, we’ll explore what birds beep at night and how to identify them.
Owls
Owls are well-known for their “hoots” and other vocalizations produced at night. However, some owl species also make short, high-pitched beeping or chirping sounds. For example, the Eastern Screech Owl gives a series of short, whistled hoots that have a quavering or trilling quality. These calls sound like a series of short beeps to some listeners. Screech owls also make a tremulous, whinny call that descends in pitch.
Meanwhile, the Barred Owl produces a distinctive call that sounds like “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all.” When made quickly, these notes can sound like a rapid series of beeps. Barred Owls will also make a cackling sound and other hoots, whistles, and alarms at night. Other owls like the Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl also make some beeping and chirping sounds as part of their vocal repertoire.
If you hear repetitive, evenly-spaced beeping coming from a wooded area at night, chances are it is one of these owl species. They are nocturnal and very vocal at night as they establish territories and communicate.
Nighthawks
Nighthawks are members of the nightjar family that get their name from being active at night. In North America, the most widespread species is the Common Nighthawk. These birds can often be seen in cities, where they nest on gravel rooftops.
At night, Common Nighthawks give a loud, nasal peent call as they fly overhead. The peent is often repeated every few seconds and sounds like a quick beep or whistle. This vocalization is thought to communicate territorially with other nighthawks in the area. The sounds can be hard to pinpoint because the birds are moving as they call out.
Listen for a repetitive beeping noise in open urban areas or countryside at night to detect the peenting of Common Nighthawks. The sound may become louder as the birds do deep dives during courtship flights. Other nighthawk species worldwide give similar peenting and beeping calls.
Whip-poor-wills
Whip-poor-wills are nocturnal birds in the nightjar family that breed across Eastern and Central North America. As their name implies, these birds are famous for their vocalizations of “whip-poor-will” that can be heard on summer nights. However, they make other sounds too.
During the breeding season, male Whip-poor-wills will sit on the ground and snap or clap their bills together to make a repetitive “beep, beep, beep” sound. They often alternate between bill-snapping and calling out whip-poor-will in a continuous rhythm. This mechanical-sounding beeping helps the birds define and defend territories as they try to attract mates.
Listen for a repetitive beeping or snapping noise coming from the ground in forests or thickets to detect the bill-snapping behavior of Whip-poor-wills. It is one of the unique night sounds of the summer woods.
Frogs
While not birds, various frog and toad species are also known for their beeping night sounds. Most notably, chorus frogs in the genus Pseudacris produce calls that sound like squeaky beeps or peeps.
For example, the Southern Chorus Frog gives a slow, rhythmic call like “cree-eeek, cree-eeek, cree-eeek” that sounds nearly mechanical in nature. The Northern Spring Peeper likewise makes a high-pitched peeping sound, often in large choruses. Depending on the species and proximity, these frog calls can resemble beeps or chirps.
Listen for a repeated frog call coming from wetlands and moist vegetated areas in spring and summer to detect these amphibians. They often breed in groups, so their combined peeping can be loud. Use the habitat clues to distinguish them from beeping birds.
Identifying the Source
When trying to identify birds that beep at night, pay attention to the specific qualities of the sound, location, and season:
- Sound qualities – Is it a short, whistle-like beep in repetition or a more nasal, frog-like peep? Is there a discernible rhythm and pace to the beeping?
- Location – Is the sound coming from a forest, wetland, rooftop, or other habitat? This can indicate if it is an owl, whip-poor-will, nighthawk, frog, etc.
- Season – Many birds vocalize mainly during breeding season. However, some like owls will be more vocal year-round.
- Time of night – Owls, nighthawks, and whip-poor-wills are most vocal at dawn and dusk. Frogs pick up later at night.
Paying attention to these factors can help you zero in on the culprit and identify what bird is making those curious beeping sounds in the dark.
Beeping Sounds of Common Culprits
Here is a summary of some of the most likely bird and frog suspects making beeping noises at night:
Species | Sound Description | Location | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Eastern Screech Owl | Short, whistled hoots in a series sounding like evenly-spaced beeps | Woodlands near open areas | Year-round, but more vocal during breeding season |
Barred Owl | Rapid “who cooks for you” call sounding like fast beeps | Swamps, woodlands, parks | Year-round |
Common Nighthawk | Nasal “peent” calls given repeatedly in flight | Cities, countryside, open areas | Breeding season |
Whip-poor-will | Bill snapping creates a rapid “beep, beep, beep” sound | Forests, thickets | Breeding season |
Chorus Frogs | Repetitive, squeaky “cree-eeek” and peeping | Marshes, wetlands | Breeding season |
This covers some of the most common culprits for beeping bird and frog sounds at night. There are other more regional species like Poorwills, Nighthawks, and Tree Frogs that may produce similar noises in certain areas. Getting a visual confirmation of the bird can provide a definite ID.
Conclusion
The mystery of just what birds make those bizarre beeping and chirping noises at night can finally be solved! By considering the sound characteristics, location, season, and bird behavior – birds like owls, nighthawks, and whip-poor-wills emerge as the most likely suspects. Frogs like chorus frogs also lend their peeping banter to the nocturnal soundscape. Being able to identify these nighttime sounds can provide a thrill for sharp-eared nature enthusiasts. The next time you hear that odd beeping sound in the dark, shine a light on the auditory clues to pinpoint the avian source.