Eagles are powerful raptors, recognized globally as symbols of strength and freedom. These birds dominate the skies with impressive wingspans and hunting prowess. Despite their visual presence, the vocalizations they produce are often a surprise to those unfamiliar with their actual sounds in the wild.
Describing the True Sounds
The Bald Eagle, a widely recognized species, produces vocalizations that contrast sharply with its large size. Common calls include high-pitched, thin chirps, whistles, and a rapid, almost chattering sound. This “chatter call” involves introductory notes followed by a quick sequence of descending notes, sometimes described as sounding like a snickering laugh or a gull’s cry.
Adult Bald Eagles also use a “peal call,” a high-pitched, prolonged sound consisting of four to seven notes, often transcribed as “kee-kee-kee-kee-ker.” This series of piping or whistling notes is given when the bird is perched or flying. Golden Eagles are generally less vocal, and their occasional calls tend to be high-pitched, weak, and whistled, though sometimes described as deeper and hoarser than the Bald Eagle’s chatter.
The Meaning Behind the Sounds
Eagle vocalizations convey a range of messages, particularly during the breeding season. The insistent chatter is often a territorial warning, signaling to other eagles that an area is claimed and should be avoided. Males frequently use a high-pitched peal call to signal when humans or other birds are approaching their nest or feeding grounds.
Softer whistles and chirps are commonly exchanged between mating pairs to strengthen their bond during courtship displays. Females use a distinct, soft, and high-pitched call when they are ready to mate. Young eaglets primarily communicate through a cheeping call to beg for food or to serve as an alarm signal when they feel threatened.
The Myth of the Majestic Scream
The piercing cry the public commonly associates with an eagle is a widespread cultural misrepresentation. This powerful, raspy scream is actually the distinct call of a Red-tailed Hawk, a smaller raptor. Hollywood sound designers began substituting the Red-tailed Hawk’s vocalization for the Bald Eagle’s genuine sounds decades ago.
This substitution occurred because the eagle’s real chirps and whistles were deemed unimpressive and did not convey the sense of power filmmakers wanted to project. The Red-tailed Hawk’s loud, earthy scream is far more effective and became the default sound effect for soaring raptors in media. As a result, the image of the eagle has been permanently linked in popular culture to the voice of a different bird.