From Booms to Pings The Weirdest British Bird Calls

The British Isles are home to a wonderful array of birds, each with its own distinct voice. From the haunting hoot of an owl to the cheerful chirp of a robin, these feathered friends fill our gardens, woodlands, and coastlines with song. But some birds stand out from the crowd with their peculiar calls. These odd sounds can range from eerie whistles to bizarre buzzes, and even mimic human-made noises. Let’s explore 16 British birds whose unusual calls might surprise you on your next countryside stroll or garden watch.

Eurasian Bittern

The Eurasian Bittern produces a deep, booming call that sounds more like a foghorn than a bird. This rare, heron-like bird is found in wetlands and reedbeds. Its low-frequency boom can travel for miles, especially on still nights. The Bittern’s unique call is produced by inflating its throat and releasing air, creating a sound so loud it was once thought to be made by blowing into a bottle.

Common Nightingale

Despite its small size, the Nightingale has a powerful and varied song. It’s known for its rich, flute-like notes and ability to mimic other birds. Nightingales often sing at night, adding a magical quality to warm spring evenings. Male Nightingales can produce over 200 different song types, making them one of the most versatile singers in the bird world.

European Nightjar

The Nightjar’s call is a strange, mechanical churring sound that can last for several minutes without pause. This nocturnal bird is often heard on warm summer nights in heathlands and woodland edges. Its eerie sound has led to many folklore tales. The Nightjar can produce up to 1,900 notes per minute, creating a mesmerizing, trilling effect that’s unlike any other British bird.

Common Cuckoo

The Cuckoo’s famous “cuck-oo” call is a classic sound of British springtime. Male Cuckoos make this distinctive two-note call, while females produce a bubbling chuckle. Sadly, Cuckoo numbers are declining in the UK, making their calls increasingly rare. Interestingly, Cuckoos are brood parasites, laying their eggs in other birds’ nests, and the chicks can mimic the calls of their host species.

Tawny Owl

The Tawny Owl’s “twit-twoo” call is actually a duet between male and female birds. The female makes the “ke-wick” sound, while the male responds with a wavering “hoo-hoo-ooo”. This haunting call is often heard in woodlands and parks at night. Young Tawny Owls make a high-pitched hissing sound when begging for food, which can be mistaken for a snake.

Capercaillie

The Capercaillie, a large grouse found in Scottish pine forests, has a bizarre mating call. It starts with clicking sounds, followed by a cork-popping noise, and ends with a wheezing exhale. This odd performance is part of an elaborate courtship display. During this display, the male Capercaillie becomes so focused on his performance that he often becomes oblivious to his surroundings, a state known as “lekking fever”.

Corncrake

The Corncrake’s call sounds like a loud, rhythmic rasping or creaking noise. It’s often compared to the sound of a comb being run along the edge of a credit card. Once common across the UK, Corncrakes are now mainly found in the Western Isles of Scotland. Male Corncrakes can call over 20,000 times a night during the breeding season, making them one of the most persistent callers in the bird world.

Red-Throated Diver

The Red-Throated Diver produces a variety of haunting calls, including a mournful wailing sound. These calls can be heard on remote lochs and coastal areas. Their eerie quality has earned these birds the nickname “rain goose” in some parts of Scotland. Red-Throated Divers also make a distinctive “ga-ga-ga” call in flight, which is often likened to the sound of a laughing person.

Manx Shearwater

The Manx Shearwater’s call is a series of weird, groaning noises that sound more ghostly than bird-like. These seabirds nest in burrows on coastal cliffs and islands. Their strange calls can be quite startling when heard on a dark night. Manx Shearwaters are also known for their incredible navigation skills, able to return to their breeding colonies from as far away as South America.

Spotted Crake

The Spotted Crake’s call is an odd, whip-like sound followed by a series of clicks. This secretive wetland bird is more often heard than seen. Its unusual call can be mistaken for a whiplash or a drop of water echoing in a cave. The Spotted Crake is most vocal at dawn and dusk, with males sometimes calling throughout the night during the breeding season.

Stone-Curlew

The Stone-Curlew has a piercing, wailing call that’s often heard at night. These odd-looking birds with large yellow eyes inhabit dry, open areas. Their eerie calls have earned them the nickname “wailing heath chicken” in some regions. Stone-Curlews are ground-nesting birds and have excellent camouflage, making them difficult to spot despite their distinctive calls.

Rook

Rooks are known for their wide vocabulary of caws, croaks, and rattles. One of their most distinctive sounds is a high-pitched “kaah” followed by a lower “krah”. These social birds often create a cacophony of noise in their breeding colonies, called rookeries. Rooks are highly intelligent and have been observed using tools, demonstrating problem-solving skills that match their complex vocalizations.

Long-Tailed Tit

The Long-Tailed Tit has a high-pitched, rolling “si-si-si” call that sounds like a tiny bell. These charming little birds often move in family groups, keeping in contact with their constant chatter. Their calls are so high-pitched that some people struggle to hear them. Long-Tailed Tits are known for their cooperative breeding behavior, with failed breeders often helping relatives raise their young.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

While many know the woodpecker’s drumming sound, the Great Spotted Woodpecker also has a sharp, explosive “chip” call. During the breeding season, young birds in the nest make a constant chittering sound as they beg for food. The Great Spotted Woodpecker’s drumming can reach up to 20 beats per second, creating a distinctive sound that carries far through woodlands.

Chiffchaff

The Chiffchaff is named after its simple but distinctive two-note song. It repeatedly sings “chiff-chaff” or sometimes “zilp-zalp”. This small warbler is one of the first migrant birds to arrive in spring, its song heralding the change of seasons. Chiffchaffs are so dedicated to their song that they sometimes continue singing even while catching insects on the wing.

Bearded Reedling

The Bearded Reedling, or Bearded Tit, has a unique “ping” call that sounds like a tiny bell. These charming birds live in reedbeds, where their pinging calls help them keep in touch as they move through the dense vegetation. Bearded Reedlings have a peculiar diet adaptation: they switch from eating insects in summer to seeds in winter, and their digestive systems change to accommodate this shift.

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