Eagles, powerful birds of prey, communicate through various vocalizations. Understanding these sounds offers insights into their behavior and social interactions within their natural habitats. Their diverse calls serve specific purposes, contributing to their survival in the wild.
The Core Eagle Vocalizations
Eagles produce high-pitched sounds, often surprising given their large size. Bald Eagles are known for their distinctive calls, which include high-pitched chirps, whistles, and a series of piping notes. One common vocalization is the “peal call,” a prolonged, gull-like cry. They also emit a “chatter call,” consisting of rapid, descending notes, often likened to a snickering laugh. These sounds are generally considered weak for powerful birds, leading to common misconceptions.
Harpy eagles, though often silent, can produce wails, croaks, whistles, clicks, and mews when they do vocalize. The Philippine eagle, an exceptionally rare species, has a unique descending, whistled “weeuuuu!” that repeats at intervals.
Purpose of Eagle Calls
Eagle vocalizations serve important functions in their daily lives. Many calls act as contact signals, helping eagles communicate with mates, offspring, or other individuals. For example, a female Bald Eagle makes a soft, high-pitched call when ready to mate. Male Bald Eagles use a high-pitched peal as a defensive mechanism, signaling the approach of others and deterring attacks at feeding sites.
Calls also play a significant role in parent-offspring communication. Young Bald Eagles, or nestlings, use a cheeping call to beg for food and as an alarm signal. As they mature, juvenile Bald Eagles develop wail and peal calls to warn of danger or communicate with parents. These vocal cues help maintain social cohesion and ensure nest safety.
Distinct Sounds Across Eagle Species
Eagle calls vary noticeably between species, though commonalities exist. Bald Eagle calls are often described as surprisingly weak, consisting of high-pitched whistles, chirps, or piping notes that contrast with their size. Their most frequent adult sound is a chatter with seven to eight abrupt notes.
Golden Eagles are generally quieter and less vocal than Bald Eagles. Their occasional calls tend to be high, weak, and whistled, sometimes characterized as “puppy-like” or “pathetic.” They vocalize most during breeding season, when nestlings’ high-pitched begging calls carry long distances, and adults use calls like “wip” or “wonk” when delivering food.
Eagle Sounds vs. Cinematic Depictions
A common misconception about eagle sounds stems from their portrayal in popular media. The powerful, piercing scream often heard in films and television, associated with soaring eagles, is not the actual sound made by eagles. This iconic screech is, in reality, the call of a red-tailed hawk.
Filmmakers adopted the red-tailed hawk’s call because it was perceived as more dramatic and intimidating than true eagle vocalizations. Bald Eagles, for instance, make high-pitched chirps, whistles, or a snickering laugh, which are far less imposing. This creative license has led many people to have an inaccurate impression of what eagles truly sound like.