BirdForum

schmintan · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 18:48

hi. i live in the countryside in ireland. at night, during the summer, only after dark, there is a bird that i want to identify. it makes a bleating sound like a sheep or goat. I know its a bird as ive heard it call as it flew overhead, but i have no glimpse of what it looks like. someone suggested a nightjar, but thats a very high pitched sound and not like what ive heard at all. around here, they are called "Sky goats" but i feel thats just a regional name, and may mean nothing elsewhere. any help would be great. thanks all

Katy Penland · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 18:57

Hi, Schmintan! A warm welcome to you from all of us on staff here at BirdForum!

Afraid I can't help you at all with your vocal ID, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who can. You've certainly got me curious!

photo_luver · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:00

I just looked up something quick on google and i got this....

One of the most fascinating parts of their fledgling life is the sounds of the adults and young. Just as night falls, the female begins to call with a strange sound much like the bleating of a goat. It is given repeatedly about every 30 seconds. The calls of the young are entirely different; they are drawn-out harsh hissing sounds and are given about as frequently as those of the female. What we believe is the male just gives the normal Great Horned Owl hooting, like “Hoo hoohoo hoohoo hoo.”

http://www.stokesbirdsathome.com/birding/journal/

I dont know if itll help you but ill do some more searching and try and find you what you need...

photo_luver · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:02

Also the shreik call on this site kinda sounds like a goat...

http://www.owlpages.com/species/bubo...us/Default.htm

Clouseau · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:03

Nope! It's a Snipe!

Rob Smallwood · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:04

Or a Woodcock?

photo_luver · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:06

American Woodcock? i think thats what it sounds like...

Katy Penland · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:06

Um, Photo_luver, except that Great Horned Owl doesn't occur in Europe.

Nor does American Woodcock.

Stewart J. · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:07

I'd go with Woodcock as well, and welcome to BF schmintan.

Stewart

photo_luver · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:09

Yeh kathy i just noticed where he's from lol...

Sorry....

Katy Penland · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:10

No problem. But it's Katy.

schmintan · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:28

ive found the sound for an american woodcock ( aka snipe i think) here :

http://www.geocities.com/birdwatcher...s/woodcock.htm

it sounds nothing like what i heard. if i hadnt heard the thing fly overhead i would have thought it was a goat . its a deep bleating sound. thanks for all your help so far folks

TWM · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:29

I go with Snipe 100%

schmintan · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:32

listened to the horned owl sounds also, nothing like them. if i heard them out in the wild, id know they were birds. this really doesnt sound like a bird, but i know that it is . sorry for being so vague, but its all i got

schmintan · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:38

ive found snipe calls

http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/.../lathams_snipe

its definately not this. definately not. il see if i can get hold of something to record the sound of the bird.

Nigel G · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:41

Hi Schmintan

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess but to listen to both snipe and woodcock - click on "resources" on the righthand end of the toolbar at the top of the page. The second item down on the dropdown menu is "birdsong" and both these 2 are listed there alphabetically.

PS. Just listened to your Latham's snipe above and that is quite different to the normal UK variety (Galinago gallinago) as per the resouces recording. In this one the 2nd half of the recording is often known as druming - a sound made by the air rushing through the tail feathers which are splayed out during a dive.

schmintan · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:46

just done that. the snipe sound isnt very clear, but doesnt sound like my bird . the woodcock is totally different. sorry to be difficult.

M Cowming · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:47

Try listening to Lapwing/Green Plover/Peewit (all same bird) calls. This could be what you're hearing.

Regards,

M Cowming · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:57

Try listening to the Lapwing call on this link...scroll to the bottom and click on vanellus vanellus. Alternatively, it could well be the drumming sound a Snipe makes with it's tail feathers rather than an actual call...come to think of it, that's probably exactly what it is.

http://mcssz-hungarnet.cserkesz.hu/%7Eszazs/madarhang/

Regards,

schmintan · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 21:30

you could be right. a local farmer tells me the "Sky goat" ( aka snipe)makes the sound with its wings and tail. sorry for all the confusion

schmintan · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 21:32

is there any sound of a snipe's tail feathers? i have done a search on google, but found nothing. again, thanks all

Clouseau · Tuesday 5th July 2005, 21:51

Look: it's a Snipe! Betcha! They make the sound with two horizontal tail feathers! Woodcock squeak after dark!

CornishExile · Wednesday 6th July 2005, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clouseau

Look: it's a Snipe! Betcha! They make the sound with two horizontal tail feathers! Woodcock squeak after dark!

Kind of electronic sounding though, not really 'bleaty'?

Maybe just... a sheep? Sound carries, and can bounce off low cloud etc...

ce

gw4aurora · Wednesday 6th July 2005, 14:53

Hi schmintan,

Try this "snipe" http://www.scricciolo.com/eurosongs/....gallinago.wav

Chris.

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 18:48	#1
schmintan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 7	what bird makes a sound like a goat/sheep, after dark? hi. i live in the countryside in ireland. at night, during the summer, only after dark, there is a bird that i want to identify. it makes a bleating sound like a sheep or goat. I know its a bird as ive heard it call as it flew overhead, but i have no glimpse of what it looks like. someone suggested a nightjar, but thats a very high pitched sound and not like what ive heard at all. around here, they are called "Sky goats" but i feel thats just a regional name, and may mean nothing elsewhere. any help would be great. thanks all

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 18:57	#2
Katy Penland Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pine Mountain Club, California, USA Posts: 10,752	Hi, Schmintan! A warm welcome to you from all of us on staff here at BirdForum! Afraid I can't help you at all with your vocal ID, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who can. You've certainly got me curious!
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:04	#6
Rob Smallwood Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 3,182	Or a Woodcock? __________________ Rob "Thirty years ago I knew nothing about birding. Today I know enough to know that I know very little"
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:06	#8
Katy Penland Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pine Mountain Club, California, USA Posts: 10,752	Um, Photo_luver, except that Great Horned Owl doesn't occur in Europe. Nor does American Woodcock. Last edited by Katy Penland : Tuesday 5th July 2005 at 19:10.
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:07	#9
Stewart J. Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Southwest Northumberland UK Posts: 4,306 My location	I'd go with Woodcock as well, and welcome to BF schmintan. Stewart
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:00	#3
photo_luver Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 310	I just looked up something quick on google and i got this.... One of the most fascinating parts of their fledgling life is the sounds of the adults and young. Just as night falls, the female begins to call with a strange sound much like the bleating of a goat. It is given repeatedly about every 30 seconds. The calls of the young are entirely different; they are drawn-out harsh hissing sounds and are given about as frequently as those of the female. What we believe is the male just gives the normal Great Horned Owl hooting, like “Hoo hoohoo hoohoo hoo.” http://www.stokesbirdsathome.com/birding/journal/ I dont know if itll help you but ill do some more searching and try and find you what you need...

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:02	#4
photo_luver Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 310	Also the shreik call on this site kinda sounds like a goat... http://www.owlpages.com/species/bubo...us/Default.htm

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:03	#5
Clouseau Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Norfolk Posts: 596	Nope! It's a Snipe!

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:09	#10
photo_luver Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 310	Yeh kathy i just noticed where he's from lol... Sorry....

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 19:10	#11
Katy Penland Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pine Mountain Club, California, USA Posts: 10,752	No problem. But it's Katy.
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:28	#12
schmintan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 7	ive found the sound for an american woodcock ( aka snipe i think) here : http://www.geocities.com/birdwatcher...s/woodcock.htm it sounds nothing like what i heard. if i hadnt heard the thing fly overhead i would have thought it was a goat . its a deep bleating sound. thanks for all your help so far folks

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:29	#13
TWM Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North east Scotland Posts: 1,964	I go with Snipe 100%

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:32	#14
schmintan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 7	listened to the horned owl sounds also, nothing like them. if i heard them out in the wild, id know they were birds. this really doesnt sound like a bird, but i know that it is . sorry for being so vague, but its all i got

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:38	#15
schmintan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 7	ive found snipe calls http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/.../lathams_snipe its definately not this. definately not. il see if i can get hold of something to record the sound of the bird.

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:41	#16
Nigel G Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 1,087	Hi Schmintan I wouldn't like to hazard a guess but to listen to both snipe and woodcock - click on "resources" on the righthand end of the toolbar at the top of the page. The second item down on the dropdown menu is "birdsong" and both these 2 are listed there alphabetically. PS. Just listened to your Latham's snipe above and that is quite different to the normal UK variety (Galinago gallinago) as per the resouces recording. In this one the 2nd half of the recording is often known as druming - a sound made by the air rushing through the tail feathers which are splayed out during a dive. __________________ NIGEL The wonder of the world, the beauty and the power, the shapes of things, their colours, lights, and shade; these I saw. Look ye also while life lasts. Last edited by Nigel G : Tuesday 5th July 2005 at 20:49.
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:46	#17
schmintan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 7	just done that. the snipe sound isnt very clear, but doesnt sound like my bird . the woodcock is totally different. sorry to be difficult.

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:47	#18
M Cowming Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ireland Posts: 711	Try listening to Lapwing/Green Plover/Peewit (all same bird) calls. This could be what you're hearing. Regards, __________________ M Cowming www.waterfordbirds.com

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 20:57	#19
M Cowming Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ireland Posts: 711	Try listening to the Lapwing call on this link...scroll to the bottom and click on vanellus vanellus. Alternatively, it could well be the drumming sound a Snipe makes with it's tail feathers rather than an actual call...come to think of it, that's probably exactly what it is. http://mcssz-hungarnet.cserkesz.hu/%7Eszazs/madarhang/ Regards, __________________ M Cowming www.waterfordbirds.com

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 21:30	#20
schmintan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 7	you could be right. a local farmer tells me the "Sky goat" ( aka snipe)makes the sound with its wings and tail. sorry for all the confusion

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 21:32	#21
schmintan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 7	is there any sound of a snipe's tail feathers? i have done a search on google, but found nothing. again, thanks all

Tuesday 5th July 2005, 21:51	#22
Clouseau Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Norfolk Posts: 596	Look: it's a Snipe! Betcha! They make the sound with two horizontal tail feathers! Woodcock squeak after dark!

Wednesday 6th July 2005, 14:53	#24
gw4aurora In eclipse Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flintshire Posts: 258	Hi schmintan, Try this "snipe" http://www.scricciolo.com/eurosongs/....gallinago.wav Chris.
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Portugal 1999 trip report	Reader	Vacational Trip Reports	6	Monday 14th August 2006 14:39
Dark colored bird?	baccalynnwv	Bird Identification Q&A	6	Friday 13th May 2005 12:34
Spain, Costa del Sol, trip report 2002	Reader	Vacational Trip Reports	3	Thursday 22nd May 2003 12:47
Staffs, Notts, Lincs & Norfolk in 2 days (with a piece of magic thrown in)	Reader	Your Birding Day	6	Thursday 20th March 2003 16:58
Scotland 2002 trip report	Reader	Vacational Trip Reports	13	Monday 2nd December 2002 19:16

BirdForum

The net's largest birding community, dedicated to wild birds