The spotted hyena, often called the “laughing hyena,” possesses a distinctive vocal repertoire. Its high-pitched, manic-sounding cackle is instantly recognizable, yet it is frequently misattributed to other animals around the globe. The acoustic qualities of this infamous vocalization are surprisingly similar to the sounds made by various mammals and birds. Understanding the true nature of the hyena’s call and its sonic imitators can help clarify the source of these startling noises.
Defining the Hyena’s Vocal Repertoire
The sound most people associate with the spotted hyena is the “giggle,” a high-frequency, staccato burst resembling hysterical laughter. This vocalization is not a sign of amusement, but rather a display of frustration, submission, or distress, often heard when an individual is harassed by higher-ranking clan members over food. The giggle is a rapid series of “hee-hee-hee” sounds, and its pitch and pattern convey information about the hyena’s age and social status.
The “whoop” is a loud, musical call that travels over long distances. It is primarily a communication tool used to announce the hyena’s presence and location to other clan members who are out of sight. Researchers have found that the specific structure of a whoop, including its pitch modulation, is unique to each individual, allowing hyenas to recognize one another. These two sounds form the basis of the sound profile that other animals often mimic.
Land Animals with Hyena-Like Calls
Outside of Africa, the most common source of a “laughing” animal sound is often the coyote, particularly in North America. The coyote’s vocalizations frequently include a high-pitched yipping and huffing chorus that, when heard at a distance or in the dark, can easily be mistaken for a manic cackle. This similarity arises because both the hyena’s giggle and the coyote’s yelp involve repeated, high-frequency sounds that rise quickly in pitch and intensity.
The speed and high tone of the coyote’s yips create the acoustic illusion of frantic laughter. Certain species of foxes also produce sharp, repetitive barks and screams that are sometimes misinterpreted as the hyena’s giggle. These smaller canids, like the coyote, create confusion through the sheer pace and elevated frequency of their group vocalizations.
Birds That Sound Like a Hyena
The most famous avian impersonator of the hyena’s laugh is the Laughing Kookaburra, a large terrestrial kingfisher native to eastern Australia. Its call is a loud, rollicking chorus that sounds uncannily like raucous, human-like laughter. The vocal display begins with a low, hiccuping chuckle before escalating into a full-throated, maniacal cackle, often delivered by several birds in a communal chorus. This distinctive call serves a territorial function, warning other family groups to stay away. While its sound is more musical and less staccato than the hyena’s giggle, the overall effect of intense, prolonged cackling makes it a frequent source of confusion.
Location and Context: Identifying the True Source
A simple way to determine the true source of a cackling animal sound is to consider the geographical location. Spotted hyenas are found exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa, with some populations also existing in parts of North Africa and the Middle East. Therefore, any hyena-like sound heard in places like the United States, Europe, or Australia is certainly produced by a different animal.
The context of the sound also provides clues. Hyenas are primarily nocturnal creatures, with most of their activity and vocalizations occurring after sunset. If the sound is heard in the middle of the day, especially near dawn or dusk, it is more likely to be the territorial call of a Laughing Kookaburra. Finally, the true hyena “giggle” is typically a brief, focused burst of sound, whereas the calls of mimics like coyotes or kookaburras often involve a prolonged, rising and falling chorus involving multiple individuals.