Nature is filled with a symphony of sounds, but some animals take the art of communication to extraordinary levels with their incredibly loud calls. These calls can serve various purposes, from attracting mates to marking territory. Here are 18 animals known for their extraordinary loud calls.
Howler Monkey
Howler monkeys, found in the forests of Central and South America, are named for their powerful vocalizations. Their calls can reach up to 140 decibels and travel over three miles through dense jungle. These loud calls are used to communicate with other members of their troop and to establish territory.
Blue Whale
The blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, also has one of the loudest calls. Their low-frequency sounds can reach up to 188 decibels and travel hundreds of miles underwater. These calls are believed to play a role in navigation and communication over vast distances.
Lion
Lions are known for their iconic roars, which can be heard up to five miles away. A lion’s roar can reach 114 decibels and is used to communicate with the pride and warn off intruders. The roar also helps lions locate each other when separated.
Elephant
Elephants communicate using a variety of sounds, including powerful trumpets that can reach up to 112 decibels. These calls can travel over several miles and are used for social bonding, coordination, and signaling danger. Elephants also use infrasound, which is below the range of human hearing, to communicate over long distances.
Kakapo
The kakapo, a flightless parrot from New Zealand, is known for its booming mating call. The male’s call can be heard up to three miles away and is used to attract females during the breeding season. This nocturnal bird’s call is one of the loudest among birds.
Hyena
Hyenas are known for their loud, eerie laughter, which can reach up to 112 decibels. This laughter is used to communicate with members of their clan and coordinate hunting. Hyenas also use other vocalizations to signal alarm and establish dominance.
Green Grocer Cicada
The green grocer cicada, found in Australia, is one of the loudest insects in the world. Its call can reach up to 120 decibels and is used to attract mates. The cicada’s loud song is produced by rapidly vibrating membranes called tymbals.
Red Fox
Red foxes have a distinctive scream that can reach up to 100 decibels. This scream is used during the mating season to communicate with potential mates and establish territory. The eerie sound can often be heard at night, adding to the fox’s mysterious reputation.
American Alligator
American alligators produce loud bellows that can reach up to 90 decibels. These calls are used during the mating season to attract females and establish territory. The sound is amplified by the alligator’s large body and resonant air sacs.
Northern Elephant Seal
Northern elephant seals produce loud, low-frequency calls during the breeding season. Males use these vocalizations to establish dominance and attract females. The calls can reach up to 126 decibels and travel over long distances across beaches.
Peacock
Peacocks are known for their loud, piercing calls, which can reach up to 100 decibels. These calls are used by males to attract females and signal their presence to other males. The peacock’s call is a distinctive part of its elaborate courtship display.
Bullfrog
Bullfrogs produce loud, deep calls that can be heard over long distances, especially during the breeding season. These calls can reach up to 119 decibels and are used to attract females and establish territory. The resonant calls are a common sound in wetlands and ponds.
Screaming Piha
The screaming piha, a bird found in the Amazon rainforest, has one of the loudest calls of any bird. Its call can reach up to 116 decibels and is used to communicate with other pihas in dense forest environments. The piercing sound is a signature of the tropical rainforest.
Elk
Elk produce a loud bugling call, especially during the mating season. This call can reach up to 100 decibels and is used by males to attract females and establish dominance. The eerie, high-pitched sound echoes through forests and valleys.
Gibbon
Gibbons produce loud, complex calls that can travel over long distances in the dense forest. These calls, which can reach up to 100 decibels, are used for communication between family groups and establishing territory. Gibbon calls are a key part of their social behavior.
Wolf
Wolves produce long, haunting howls that can be heard over several miles. These howls, which can reach up to 90 decibels, are used for communication within the pack, coordination during hunting, and marking territory. The wolf’s howl is one of the most iconic sounds of the wild.
Macaw
Macaws, large parrots from Central and South America, produce loud squawks that can reach up to 106 decibels. These calls are used to communicate with other macaws and signal alarm. The macaw’s loud call helps maintain social bonds within flocks.
Male Koala
Male koalas produce loud bellows during the breeding season to attract females and ward off rivals. These bellows can reach up to 100 decibels and are surprisingly loud for the koala’s size. The calls help males establish dominance and find mates in the dense eucalyptus forests.
Tara enjoys writing about marine animals like whales, sharks, dolphins and nudibranchs.
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