Squirrels are highly vocal creatures, using a variety of sounds to communicate. Many people wonder if the high-pitched noises they hear are “chirps” and if these sounds are similar to those made by birds. While squirrels do produce sounds that can be described as chirps, their vocalizations are diverse and play an important role in their daily lives.
The Sounds of Squirrels
Squirrels produce a sound that can be described as a “chirp,” particularly when excited or as a high-pitched call from young squirrels. This “chirping” is distinct from a bird’s chirp, often having a more aggressive or agitated quality. Beyond chirps, squirrels exhibit a wide array of vocalizations, including barks, chatters, moans, squeaks, and whistles.
Barks often sound like a high-pitched squeaky toy or a small dog’s bark, used to warn others of danger or to protect territory. Chattering, which can involve rapid clicking and squeaking, signals communication, excitement, or alarm. Eastern gray squirrels are known for their chattering, while red squirrels have a higher-pitched chatter. Fox squirrels tend to have lower-pitched vocalizations.
Squirrels also make moaning sounds, which can have a clear, rising and falling tone. Squeaks can be high-pitched and indicate distress, particularly from young squirrels. Some squirrels produce trills and whistles, which can be part of mating rituals.
What Squirrel Calls Mean
Squirrel vocalizations serve various purposes for communication and survival. Alarm calls are common, used to warn other squirrels of nearby predators like hawks, cats, or dogs. These calls include sharp “kuks,” which are short barks signaling immediate danger, or longer, more intense “quaas.” A “moan” alarm call can signify that a predator is still in the area after immediate danger has passed, or it can be used for aerial threats.
Squirrels also use sounds for territorial defense, especially when protecting food sources or nesting sites. An aggressive, continuous chatter or barking warns intruders to stay away. Communication between individuals includes “muk-muk” sounds, which are soft contact calls used by mothers with their kits and by males during courtship.
Distress signals, such as high-pitched squeals or crying sounds, are made when squirrels are injured or in fear. Chattering can also indicate excitement, curiosity, or irritation. The specific meaning of a squirrel’s call often depends on the context, the intensity of the sound, and accompanying body language, such as tail flicking.
Listening for Squirrels
Identifying squirrel sounds requires attention to their diverse vocalizations and distinguishing them from other animals. Squirrel barks, for instance, are often more throaty and less musical than bird calls, sometimes having a rhythm of one bark followed by several smaller ones. While some squirrel sounds, particularly from young squirrels, can resemble bird chirps, careful listening can reveal differences in tone and pattern.
Squirrels are most active during daylight hours, making early morning and late evening prime times to hear their vocalizations. Observing their behavior, such as tail flicking or body posture, can provide additional clues to the meaning of their calls. Different squirrel species may have varied vocal repertoires; for example, red squirrels are more vocal and territorial than gray squirrels.