There are many types of birds that screech and vocalize loudly during the daytime hours. This screeching behavior serves several purposes for different bird species. Some reasons birds may screech during the day include defending territory, attracting mates, signaling alarm or communicating with flock members. Identifying the time of day, location, pattern and tone of the screech can help narrow down which avian neighbor is making the noise. This article will explore some of the most common and likely culprits behind daytime bird screeching and their motivations for this loud behavior.
Defending Territory
Many birds use loud screeches and calls to defend and proclaim ownership of their territory. This commonly occurs during breeding season but can also happen year-round in species that maintain permanent territories. Some birds that commonly screech aggressively when intruders encroach on their turf include:
Blue Jays
Blue jays are very vocal corvids that use loud, screeching calls to scare away potential rivals. Their screams can be piercing and unpleasant to human ears. A blue jay may scold and screech at other birds that get too close to its nest or claimed feeding area. This helps signal dominant ownership of its territory.
Red-Shouldered Hawks
These broad-winged buteos are very territorial and use loud, screaming calls to warn away intruders. A red-shouldered hawk will screech to declare its territory and scare off interlopers. Its piercing screams are commonly heard from woodlands and forest edges.
Crows
American crows are another territorial corvid. They use a wide repertoire of loud caws and screeches to scare away would-be intruders. A crow may screech at animals or people that get too close to its claimed area. This helps reinforce boundaries and deter territorial threats.
Eastern Screech Owls
Despite their name, eastern screech owls do not actually screech. However, they do produce an eerie, wailing whistle to declare territory ownership. This spooky call is most common during the early spring as screech owl pairs establish nesting sites. The screeches help warn rivals away from their breeding and roosting turf.
Attracting Mates
Screeching and other loud vocalizations are commonly used to attract potential mates. Males will advertise their fitness with competitive vocal displays hoping to entice females. Some melodious and harsh screeching species that yell loudly when seeking partners include:
Peacocks
Male peacocks are famous for their brilliant tail feathers, but they also have piercing vocalizations used to attract peahens. Male peacocks gather in communal display grounds called leks and compete to see who can screech the loudest and most persistently to attract females. Their noisy screams carry for great distances.
Red-tailed Hawks
The common red-tailed hawk uses loud, shrill screams called kee-eeee-arrr calls to declare territory and attract mates. This recognizable raptor scream is often heard ringing out from treetops during the early spring breeding season as pairs court and establish nesting zones.
Northern Mockingbirds
Known for their vast vocal repertoires, male mockingbirds sing loud, complex songs with repetitions and improvisations to entice potential mates. Some of their vocalizations are melodious while others include harsh screeches and squeals. Mockingbird mating and territory displays are most boisterous on moonlit nights.
Common Loons
With their eerie, wailing cries, common loons employ a range of tremolos, hoots, yodels and screeches when seeking mates. Male loons project these vocalizations far across lakes, especially at dawn and dusk in summer. Their screams and yodels are a primitive courtship display.
Alarm Calls
Bird screeches and screams aren’t always about mating or territory though. Some species issue loud alarm calls to warn others of potential danger. These alarming screeches are meant to signal peril and communicate panic rather than threaten rivals or attract mates. Birds that give loud alarm calls include:
Cedar Waxwings
High-pitched screeching erupts from flocks when a potential predator appears or the birds are spooked. This helps notify others of impending danger with the element of surprise.
Tufted Titmice
With their “pit pit pit” alarm calls, these active songbirds use their loud voices to signal disturbance in a threat-sensitive manner. Screeches escalate based on the level of perceived danger.
Black-Capped Chickadees
If these busy birds detect a potential predator, they issue a loud, high-pitched “chick-a-dee-dee” alarm call. Nearby birds take notice and become more vigilant or flee the area. This loud screech indicates imminent threat.
Eastern Bluebirds
When disturbed near their nest, eastern bluebirds sound a piercing “tseet” call repeatedly. This audible screeching communicates alarm and warns nestlings of danger.
Flock Communication
Loud contact calls help maintain group cohesion and relay information among social birds. Screeches and screams can help coordinate movements and behaviors. Some flocking species that screech to communicate include:
Ring-Billed Gulls
These omnipresent waterbirds use a variety of screeches and laughs. Specific loud calls help synchronize group movements and initiate travel. Their choruses of screams can be quite chaotic and piercing.
Sandhill Cranes
Recognizable by their prehistoric, rattling call, sandhill cranes employ this loud screech to stay connected with their long-term mates and family units. Their screams carry for miles to maintain group bonds.
Parakeets
Small parakeet flocks keep continuous contact with a mix of chirps and raucous, grating screeches. These screams help coordinate their movements inside the flock and signal alarm or contentment.
Crows
Beyond territorial purposes, crows also screech to maintain contact with their murder. By screaming back and forth, they signal their location and movements to others in their group. This facilitates flock cohesion.
Conclusion
Many avian species vocalize piercing screeches and screams during their daily life. Screeching can relay different meanings and motives depending on the species and situation. Loud screeching often serves to attract mates, warn off rivals, communicate alarm, maintain contact and coordinate flocks. Identifying clues based on location, time of day, season and tone can help deduce the species and purpose behind such noisy behavior. Next time you hear a mystery bird scream, see if context provides any clues about its identity and motivation. With vigilance, even the most shrill, harsh screeches can make more sense.
Table of Common Screeching Birds
Species | Screech Purpose |
---|---|
Blue jays | Territory defense |
Red-shouldered hawks | Territory defense |
Crows | Territory defense |
Peacocks | Mate attraction |
Red-tailed hawks | Mate attraction |
Northern mockingbirds | Mate attraction |
Common loons | Mate attraction |
Cedar waxwings | Alarm calls |
Tufted titmice | Alarm calls |
Black-capped chickadees | Alarm calls |
Eastern bluebirds | Alarm calls |
Ring-billed gulls | Flock communication |
Sandhill cranes | Flock communication |
Parakeets | Flock communication |
Crows | Flock communication |
Detailed Breakdown by Species
Blue Jays
– Loud, piercing screams used to defend territory
– Will screech at intruders near nests or feeding areas
– Screams signal dominance and ownership
Red-Shouldered Hawks
– Use screaming calls to defend territories
– Loud screeches warn away intruders
– Often heard in woodlands and forest edges
Crows
– Employ various loud caws and screeches
– Help scare away would-be intruders
– Reinforce territorial boundaries
Peacocks
– Males screech and scream to attract mates
– Loud vocalizations showcase fitness
– Prominent around leks during breeding season
Red-Tailed Hawks
– Kee-eeee-arrr screams signal territory and attract mates
– Most common cry of this widespread raptor
– Often heard during courtship in early spring
Northern Mockingbirds
– Known for loud, complex songs with screeches mixed in
– Vocal displays peak on moonlit nights
– Varied vocalizations help entice potential mates
Common Loons
– Give eerie wails, tremolos, yodels and screeches when courting
– Males project these sounds across lakes to attract females
– Most prominent at dawn/dusk during summertime breeding
Cedar Waxwings
– High, thin screeches erupt to signal danger
– Alarm calls notify others in area of threat
– Screams communicate panic when flock is startled
Tufted Titmice
– “Pit pit pit” calls signify disturbance
– Loud alarm screeches escalate based on threat level
– Alert other birds in sensitive, graded manner
Black-Capped Chickadees
– “Chick-a-dee-dee” screams indicate imminent threat is near
– Loud, frantic alarm call makes other birds vigilant
– Signifies need to flee area due to predator
Eastern Bluebirds
– Pierce “tseet” screech warns of nest disturbance
– Loud, repetitive alarm call safeguards nestlings
– Signals urgency to chicks when parents are distressed
Ring-Billed Gulls
– Various loud screeches and laughs
– Specific screams help coordinate flock movements
– Chaotic chorusing facilitates group travel
Sandhill Cranes
– Famous for their prehistoric, rattling calls
– Loud screeches maintain connections in family units
– Calls can carry for miles to signal mates and kin
Parakeets
– High-pitched chirps mix with raucous screeches
– Noisy flock communication signals contentment/alarm
– Facilitates coordinated movement within group
Crows
– Loud screeches communicate with murder members
– Screams signal location and movements to flockmates
– Essential for coordinated group behaviors