Making Bird Noises
Barred Owl
A sunny winter’s afternoon, inside a sheltered woodlot, strolling along a well-packed trail, I encounter a family -parents with their youngsters. “Have you seen the owl?” I ask. “No.” they respond, “… is there one here?” I then proceed several metres along the trail, veer off the beaten track another few metres and say, “Up there, in the upper quarter of the cedar.” There it is, a gorgeous Barred Owl, seemingly oblivious to our presence. The young, rosy-cheeked boy, about 10 or 11 years old, lifts his binoculars. “It’s beautiful!” he exclaims. Hearing his innocent enthusiasm and seeing his look of amazement, I’m overcome with feelings of satisfaction and hope.
It’s these close encounters that can change a person’s life, bringing us new awareness of our magnificent planet. Owls in particular have an appeal that transcends the varied activities of birding. The human-like, forward-facing eyes, shrouded in centuries of folklore and superstition, make these noble predators highly sought-after by people from all walks of life. And, I still get a thrill every time luck allows me to bring these rarely-seen animals to people’s attention.
But getting wildlife into view is no simple task. Even persistence and experience comes with a low success rate. For this reason, I have called upon a skill acquired back in my rebellious youth, when I played the role of class-clown. In efforts to attract my peers’ attention, I practised making silly, obnoxious sounds with various parts of my body, usually incorporating vocal manipulations. Little did I realize that these abrupt, annoying, sometimes-loathsome noises would have a practical function later in life. Now, when faced with a shy species, I attempt to imitate its sounds, hoping the furtive creature comes into view.
“Hmmm. . .I know there’s a Barred Owl here somewhere. Let’s try calling it in. . . Whoop whoop whoo-hoo, Whoop whoop whoo-haaaaaa”. The sound is fairly easy to imitate, often phoneticized as “Who-cooks-for-you Who-cooks-for-you-all”. It takes a little bravery, risking a call to 911 by an alarmed bystander. However, when the owl flies onto an open perch, staring down at you through a flashlight beam, responding with its own vocalizations and head rotations, you realize the experience is worth all the awkwardness. And, if you have an audience, they certainly wouldn’t consider you anything less than a bird charmer.
Want to see an American Woodcock? Simple – just say “Preep-preep-preep”, a sound created by trapping air between the cheek and gums, releasing it through the upper lip. What sometimes follows is a curious plump long-billed bird circling over your head, with whistling wings.
While standing at the edge of Cavasso Creek, near Aransas, Texas, I listened in frustration to the “Kee-kee-droo” call of a Black Rail. The bird was hidden deep in the reeds, not far from the roadside. I had nothing to lose, so I performed a rough imitation that resembled the rhythm and tone of the elusive marsh bird. I thought I sounded more like a hybrid between an Eastern Screech-Owl and a Great-crested Flycatcher. Surprisingly though, the rail’s vocal response kept getting closer. After a few minutes, to my delight and amazement, a little black ball with white spots crawled through the vegetation at my feet.
Over the years, I have learned to make many other somewhat embarrassing sounds that solicit a response from the wilderness. Like a jazz percussionist engaged in duet, I trade riffs with a drumming Ruffed Grouse by beating my chest. With cupped hands, I blow through my joined thumbs to entice a few communicative notes from a Common Loon. And, it doesn’t always have to sound precise. Whistles, peeps, chirps and burps. . .it doesn’t matter. Whatever works is fair game. Who cares how foolish you look, as long as you get a response from one of nature’s great creatures.
February 19, 2010
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by Heather P
On March 10, 2010 at 7:26 pm
I really enjoyed reading this Tony and it made me smile. I recall the first time you were a hero for me… Munster Hamlet, a very cold early spring night, my first Saw-whet Owl. Your persistance and the silly noises that night paid off, only now those noises and others since then that bring in the birds are never silly…rather they fill me with hope that I will shortly get a view of some lovely creature.
Thanks for that!
by Tony
On March 10, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Here’s to many funny noises in your future Heather!
by Nina
On March 27, 2010 at 4:46 am
Thank you for fantastic reading Tony..
Big laughs and I can just imagine how crazy it must be to be able to actually get their attention.
Owls has always been one of my favorites.
Would love to go birding with you one day, to see and hear this ‘live’.
by Wendy M
On March 28, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Thanks for reinforcing my confidence, Tony! I have, for many years now, been a “closet bird caller”…secretly communicating while other humans are not around. May I brag that I have quite a repertoire! Wonderfully written article that was a pleasure to read. Thank you.
by Tony
On March 30, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Thanks Wendy and Nina
Just this last weekend, over the open fields of Amherst Island, Ontario, I called a Short-eared Owl.
It flew right overhead, looked down at me while my camera captured the event.
It was a magical moment of bonding with nature.
by Leigh Eaton
On August 19, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I have looked at your recent photos taken on Grand Manan and feel compelled to congratulate you on the superb photography. I plan to visit the Island at the end of the month and your gallery has made me even more excited about my trip. You have captured the feel, colour and beauty of this area, the Bay of Fundy,that is so dear to my heart.
by Tony
On September 15, 2010 at 2:33 am
Thanks Leigh
I’ll be returning again this month (September).
Hopefully the hurricanes will stay clear, and only move wildlife into the waters of the Bay of Fundy.