9 replies to this topic

[ratterriers]

I recently moved to Central Florida.  When I go outside on most nights I hear birds with a very loud call.  The sound stops as soon as the sun comes up.  It sound like a car alarm.  Two calls in quick succession then quiet, then it repeats, sort of like a "Whoo Whoo". The bird seems to travel as I will hear it coming from different locations.  I have never been able to see these birds and would love to identify the bird since I have never heard a bird call like this before.  Can anybody help??

 

[SeeBirds123]

I have a starling that mimics a car alarm....

[Gray Poll]

Try to find a recording of a Screech Owl, might be your bird.

[kurtgeiger]

We have a Mockingbird that does a very realistic car alarm  call and he will go all night. He also does a nifty impression of a cell phone...... Do not know if they range to Florida though.

[mousebird]

My bet is a mocker. I can lay in bed and count the different bird songs that they imitate, including the non- native species like the monk parakeets and the spot breasted orioles. Remember, they are the state bird of Florida as well ( other than the mosquito)!

[Niebla]

Also Grackles are very good at sounding like car alarms.

[barredowl]

How about a Whip poor will.

[nimajneb3]

Come to think of it whip-poor-will would fit the description. It's call, although not "Whoo Whoo!", has two distinct parts and I could see how it reminds someone of a car alarm.

[superstewed]

I live nearby in Georgia, and have noticed a similar bird call at night.  In my case, it was very obvious it was not an owl, tree frog, or mockingbird.  After some investigating, I found that the bird that I have been hearing is a Chuck-will's-widow.  It is very similar to a whip-poor-will, but the calls are distinctively different.  You can hear the song at this website: http://www.birds.cor...-widow_dtl.html

Hopefully this helps!

[ratterriers]

After listening to the song of the Chuck wills widow with the link you provided I am sure that that is what I am hearing.  That is exactly ehat it sounds like.  Thank you all so much for your help.  My first thought was a mickingbird but I eliminated that because I didn't thing several birds would imitate the same sound and it never does any other sounds.  In my past experience with them, they will change between several different sounds.