When it comes to the sounds that different animals make, the one that most resembles the sound of running water likely comes from a small mammal called the pika. Pikas are small lagomorphs that live in mountainous regions and make high-pitched noises that sound similar to flowing water.
What is a Pika?
A pika is a small, furry mammal that is related to rabbits and hares. There are over 30 species of pikas found throughout mountain ranges in Asia, North America, and Eastern Europe. These little animals typically live among the rocky slopes and meadows of alpine environments at elevations between 2,500 and 6,000 feet.
Pikas are herbivores that feed on grasses, flowers, leaves, and hay. They do not hibernate but instead spend the cold winter months gathering food stores in “hay piles” to eat during the long mountain winters. Pikas are territorial animals that live in small family groups and use high-pitched alarm calls to warn each other of impending danger.
The Pika’s Distinctive Call
The most distinctive feature of the pika is its high-pitched alarm call. When threatened or excited, a pika will let out a short, repeated call that sounds similar to running water. This call can reach volumes over 100 decibels, which is very loud for such a small animal. The sound carries well over rocky mountain terrain, allowing nearby pikas to be alerted quickly to danger.
There are two main reasons why the pika’s call resembles flowing water:
- The rapid repetition of the short call makes it sound similar to a babbling brook or stream.
- The metallic timbre of the pika’s voice gives it a liquid, rippling quality much like running water.
In addition, pikas often live near streams and ponds, so their calls blend right in with the ambient sounds of their natural habitat. The next time you are hiking in the mountains and hear a sound like a flowing creek, listen more closely and you might just hear the telltale call of a nearby pika!
Differences Between Pika Calls and Running Water
While pika calls share some auditory similarities with the sound of running water, there are a few key differences:
- Running water creates steady, continuous noise, while pika calls are emitted in short bursts.
- The frequencies present in running water noise cover a broader range, while pika calls are concentrated at higher pitches.
- The volume of running water can vary greatly, but pika alarm calls are consistently high-pitched and loud.
- The tempo and rhythm of pika vocalizations is faster and more regular compared to the random turbulence of flowing water.
So while both sounds share a few common auditory qualities, the trained ear can pick up on the distinct rhythmic, tonal, and temporal patterns that identify the pika’s unique vocalizations.
Why Does the Pika Make This Sound?
Pikas produce their distinctive flowing water-like calls for several ecological reasons related to communication and survival:
- Territory defense – The far-reaching calls inform other pikas to stay away from the caller’s home range.
- Alarm calls – The loud volume quickly alerts other pikas to danger from predators.
- Mating calls – Some “songs” communicate breeding readiness between male and female pikas.
- Identification – Slight call differences may reveal the identity of individual pikas.
Interestingly, pikas in different geographical regions exhibit slightly different versions of the call based on factors like body size, habitat elevation, and local predators. But across all pika species, the running water-esque vocalizations serve key social functions for day-to-day survival and reproduction.
Other Animals That Mimic Water Sounds
While the pika has the most pronounced calls akin to running water, some other animals also make sounds similar to flowing water sources:
- Elk – Male elk make high-pitched squealing sounds during the mating season that share tonal similarities to babbling stream noise.
- Cicadas – The buzzing chorus of cicadas in trees can resemble the rushing noise of a river when heard from afar.
- Birds – Some tropical bird species like the white-throated shrike make trilling vocalizations resembling a bubbling brook.
- Insects – Aquatic insects like midges create communal droning near bodies of water akin to light rapids.
- Racoons – When conflict arises, raccoons can make hissing screeches with qualities like pouring stream water.
However, none of these animals possess the unique shrill, metallic tone and repetitive rhythm of the pika call which so closely mimics the sound of flowing mountain waters.
Conclusion
With its short, repetitive high-pitched alarm call that carries far across rocky mountain terrain, the pika produces a sound that closely resembles running water. The similarities include repetition, metallic timbre, volume, and blending with the ambient habitat. However, trained listeners can distinguish the pika’s unique chirps from actual flowing water sources. This distinctive vocalization helps pikas identify territory, warn others of predators, and find mates amidst their rocky streamside homes.