I need help Identifying a night bird.?

Question

I haven't seen it, only heard it when it wakes us up at night. I live in southeast michigan, near lake Erie. The call it makes reminds me of a combination of a ghost and a horse whinny. Quite loud. It does wake us up. It does also make a trilling call. It's NOT an owl of any kind. Any ideas? or does anyone know where i might look for more information? Thanks!

Answer 1

This is my favorite bird site:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/

Are you positive it isn't an Eastern Screech-Owl? This is how the above site describes it's sound: "Two common songs: A descending whistled whinny, and a whistled trill on one pitch. Calls hoots, barks, and screeches".

I'm looking at a "Birds of Michigan Field Guide" and this is their discription of the Eastern Screech-Owl: "Will seldom give a screeching call; more commonly give a tremulous, descending whiny trill, like a sound effect of a scary movie."

Check out the Black-crowned Night-Heron too, just in case.

You can listen to the sounds at the above site. Just use the "alphabetical" drop box to select the bird you want and go from there.

I hope you find out what kind of bird you're hearing. Good luck.

Answer 2

Might I ask what your general location is? It could help in singling out a bird. Aside from that, the only birds I can think of at the moment that fly at night that aren't owls are Nightjars. But they're not really that big. Oh, you live in Australia....ok, i'm familiar with US birds, so I can't really help, there ^_^;

Answer 3

hope this will help u

Safe Passage Great Lakes Days

Whereas, Radar studies show that birds migrate in a broad front across the Great Lakes at night, and millions of birds use the skies over Michigan during their spring migration; and, over 250 species, including warblers, thrushes, and tanagers, some declining steeply in numbers, fly over Michigan during their migration;

try this link u will see more
www.michiganbirds.org

Answer 4

That's quite a good description of a Screech Owl call. I don't know of any other animal it might be.

Answer 5

Most night birds say their name, i.e. whipoorwill, night jar, etc.

Answer 6

maybe its a cricket you hear. !