Anyone know this bird?

scgargoyle · October 13, 2012, 04:46:03 PM

I've been listening to on-line bird calls, but I can't find the one I've been hearing. The best I can describe it is 'grrrrrACK'. I'm in a southeastern hardwood forest, and it sounds like a fairly large bird. Every time I try to find him, he shuts up. He just started up in the last couple weeks, calling a few times every morning. Any ideas?

Woodchuck53 · October 13, 2012, 04:50:59 PM

So you haven't seen it, just heard it? May be what they call a Grackle below the I-10 Mason Dixon line here in Louisiana. Not sure of the normal name but that's what the web footed people down here say. About as big as a crow maybe a little dustier in color and looks like it always needs a good grooming. May be it.

Magicman · October 13, 2012, 06:30:16 PM

We have a huge crane, blue/grey in color and probably stands 3' tall. When it is flying, every so often it lets out a single squawk like you mentioned. It may then fly ¼ mile or so before it squawks again.

I kept trying to find out what was making that racket and then it squawked overhead one time.

Ron Wenrich · October 13, 2012, 07:58:21 PM

Blue herons make that noise.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · October 13, 2012, 08:01:11 PM

Throw some Grits on the ground. This may bring him in a little closer.

beenthere · October 13, 2012, 08:45:32 PM

Poston Someone maybe did that, and that is why it is making that noise (choking sound).... :

:

;D ;D

POSTON WIDEHEAD · October 13, 2012, 08:46:45 PM

Quote from: beenthere on October 13, 2012, 08:45:32 PM
Poston Someone maybe did that, and that is why it is making that noise (choking sound).... : :

:D :D :D :D :D

Magicman · October 13, 2012, 08:54:04 PM

Yup, I called it a crane, but I guess it is a Blue Heron. If that is what is causing your noise you can not find it because it is gone. Just flapping along and squawking. ;D

Magicman · October 13, 2012, 09:05:51 PM

Here are a couple. When they are flying they only make a single squawk every ¼ mile or so.

http://www.almanac.com/content/bird-sounds-great-blue-heron

http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=44

SwampDonkey · October 13, 2012, 10:57:59 PM

Yup could be a heron. They are probably in migration from the north now.

Another bird sound people find odd is from the American bittern. But it's a different sound than you describe. I listen for them every spring.

Holmes · October 13, 2012, 11:47:18 PM

Blue Herons do sound prehistoric...

LeeB · October 13, 2012, 11:51:18 PM

Bluejay maybe?

SwampDonkey · October 14, 2012, 04:35:44 AM

Ravens to, they are imitaters and make all kinds of odd sounds. Sometimes they will screech, which is weird. They do this around a meal, must be inviting others to eat. ;D

scgargoyle · October 14, 2012, 06:32:30 AM

I'm familiar with blue herons; that's not it. Whatever it is, it sits still and calls several times, up in the trees. Whenever I walk in the direction of the sound, it stops, and I can't see anything. You'd think I could find it; the sound comes from the same area every day. The 'grrrr' part is a rolling trill, but deeper and heavier than a typical tweety bird. My contractor, who lives in the area and is outside every day, says he never heard it before. Maybe somebody's pet parrot got loose? Gonna be a tough winter for him......

thecfarm · October 14, 2012, 08:08:41 AM

cranes don't eat g...s. Crane is my last name. My Father would see them and tell me that was my half brother. I carried on the tradition too. :D

pesaventoc · October 14, 2012, 08:49:48 AM

pileated woodpecker maybe

Madtowner · October 14, 2012, 07:40:41 PM

Possibly an green heron. Freaky looking and strange sound.

CHARLIE · October 14, 2012, 10:48:35 PM

I was thinking the same thing as pesaventoc. A pileated woodpecker.

beenthere · October 14, 2012, 11:17:27 PM

I am with Charlie, although I can't comment on the sound described, but the behaviour smacks of the pileated.

SwampDonkey · October 15, 2012, 05:59:51 AM

Yes, I would have to agree. They can be as cagey as their cousins, the sap sucker.

Claybraker · October 15, 2012, 08:11:08 AM

A little outside the known range, but velociraptors sound prehistoric.

http://www.velociraptors.info/

drobertson · October 15, 2012, 08:17:06 AM

I was thinking woodpecker too, heard a similar sound yesterday, I was coming out of the timber, windy, heard it twice, I stopped and noted it came from an area that has two dead standing oaks, I just thought woodpecker but it was a different sound for sure, I have heard the herins' they definetly have that jurasic sound,

easymoney · October 15, 2012, 08:47:13 AM

i believe it is a do-do bird. they are hard to see since they hide in the leaves on the ground.

SwampDonkey · October 15, 2012, 08:51:13 AM

Quote from: drobertson on October 15, 2012, 08:17:06 AM
I have heard the herons' they definitely have that Jurassic sound,

Do we know what Jurassic animals sounded like? I think the term defines the forms of life, not their voice. Too many movies. ;)

thecfarm · October 15, 2012, 09:50:57 AM

Those pileated woodpeckers have been here for years on my land,but I've only seen 1 or 2 in all the time I've been here.
I've seen this on some of the trees,but don't see the one doing the damage much.