skip to main content

Loud Nocturnal Bird, What is it?

16 years ago

There has been some type of bird, in the tree outside of our bedroom window, who has been making a racket every night once the sun goes down. It actually sounds a little like a duck, it's song is sort of like a quack.

Is anyone else hearing this type of bird at night? Does anyone have any idea what type of bird it could be? It's been keeping me awake at night or waking me up if I do happen to fall asleep.

I have all types of birds in my yard, they visit my feeders, bath in my birdbath and nest in my birdhouses, but I have never heard this bird outside at night before, this is the first year.

Linda

Featured Answer

chris8796

16 years ago

Is it a whip-poor-will bird?

Here is a link that might be useful: bird calls

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

orrin_h
16 years ago
Are you sure it's a bird and not some type of frog or toad? They can be surprisingly loud. We had one last week on the patio making quite a racket; it had us a bit confused until we managed to locate it.

-O-
glad2garden
16 years ago
In the spring I thought I was hearing a bird at night that was so loud. It had to be tree frogs. There were no birds there where I was hearing them, and I understand tree frogs are very hard to see on a tree.
Related Discussions
Nocturnal Morning Glories?
Q
Comments (9)
That's them! I wonder why they didn't turn that pink color in the last years. maybe a combination of temperature and rain and other "stuff". In answer to your question Laura about when to plant the seeds; I've just let mine drop to the ground and they always come up each year. If I want to start some in a new section I have taken some of the pods during the winter and scattered them about. I do know that where they come up around other plants, especially tall ones like sunflowers and cannas, I have to go out every other day and untangle their choking vines . I have found a few strays as well of different colors and leaf shape. Not sure if they dropped from passing birds or if in my attempts to reshape some of the poor lanscaping from the last owners I uneathed some seeds. Thanks everyone, Jim
...See More
loud flock of birds
Q
Comments (14)
Kate, I just had to come back to this post to let you know about what I have just seen.Last week, I drove to pick up my son from wrestling practice at about 5:15pm. Near his school, there are large empty fields. Two days in a row, as I drove past those fields, there was a VERY large flock of some sort of "black looking" birds (it was getting dark) which was feeding in the fields, and they were flying up all over the road in front of my van. I was worried that I was going to hit one of them. I finally got a good look at them, and lo and behold, they were ROBINS!!!!! I just had to tell you. I have never seen such a huge flock of Robins in my entire life. Now, I think you saw Robins. :o) Angie
...See More
what is this bird chirping all night
Q
Comments (28)
Well if that turns out to be the culprit, I give dees the credit, since she (or he) first suggested the nighthawk. I'm not very good at onomatopoeia: TCHK or "peent" . I have enough trouble spelling actual words, much less trying spell random strange animal noises. :-) I remember watching nighthawks in Ohio, climbing into the sky and diving, over and over, late into the night until all you could see was the two white bands on their wings. I also remember seeing (and hearing them) in Minnesota when we lived there. I don't think they live in Virginia near me.
...See More
Loud birds that call in the dark
Q
Comments (10)
Just talked to my neighbor. He heard it at 3 a.m. when he got home from work, so it was definitely a screech owl. They aren't as scary sounding as barn owls, though. OMG! My grandma had one in her barn, and it used to scare the beejeezus out of me when I was little. But the animal sound that scared me the most when I was little was a wildcat. If you've never heard one, they sound like a baby crying. When I was probably about 3 or 4, I heard one at my grandmother's house and I was begging my mother to go out and find the baby that was crying. She kept telling me it was a wildcat, but I was crying hysterically, swearing there was a baby out there. Give it a listen.
...See More
deanie1
16 years ago
Have you actually seen the figure of some kind of bird in your tree? If not, I'd go with the frog/toad idea too. We have lots of them around here and they typically start up when it's about to get dark. Ours give just one "quaaaaack" at a time.
Pat Z5or6 SEMich
11 years ago
chris8796, this is several years later but I would like to thank you for that bird calls link. Very nice of you.
jreri
6 years ago
I was looking to identify a bird I was hearing and came across this thread. I later was able to identify the bird as an American Woodcock. Thought I would share in case you were still wondering 10 years later.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Go Owling in October

By Habitat Network

These stealthy nocturnal hunters fill North American skies with their quiet wings and distinct calls

GARDENING GUIDES 13 North American Backyard Birds to Know

By Annie Thornton

Find out about these enchanting native species and learn how to attract them to your yard

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Meet Some Clever and Curious Jays

By Habitat Network

Boisterous jays provide plenty of backyard bird-watching in winter. Here’s how to identify all the varieties and welcome them into your yard

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

MODERN ARCHITECTURE Keep Your Big Windows — and Save Birds Too

Reduce bird strikes on windows with everything from architectural solutions to a new high-tech glass from Germany

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Bring on the Birds: Natural Habitat Ideas for Gardens of All Sizes

Provide nesting, watering and perching spots inspired by the Costa Rican jungle and watch the birds flock on over

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Those Nutty Nuthatches

By Habitat Network

The North American songbirds, which often perch upside down, make themselves known in the winter landscape

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Healthy Home Habitats for Northern Flickers

By Habitat Network

These colorful woodpeckers found across the U.S. and Canada love berries, seeds and ants and often nest in deep burrows in trees

EARTH DAY The Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

ID OWL IN S.E. MICHIGAN z5b

0