17 Bird that Makes a Knocking Sound (Clicking, Tapping)

Birds are known for their beautiful songs, but some species also produce unique knocking sounds. Birds that make knocking sounds are Woodpeckers, Common Raven, Common Grackle, and Treecreeper.

The sounds that birds make can vary greatly in terms of their pitch, volume, and duration. Some birds, such as songbirds, have complex songs that are used to attract mates. 

Other birds, such as woodpeckers, make drumming sounds that are used to communicate with other birds or to excavate wood.

In this blog post, we will explore the world of birds that make knocking sounds. We will focus on some of the most common bird species in the UK as well as worldwide that produce these sounds.

Woodpeckers: The Master Knockers

Woodpeckers are birds that are known for their ability to excavate wood. They have strong, chisel-like beaks and long, barbed tongues. 

These help them to drill into trees and other hard surfaces. Woodpeckers are found in forests all over the world, and there are over 200 different species.

Types of Woodpeckers Worldwide

The different types of woodpeckers can be classified into three main groups:

Drilling woodpeckers: These woodpeckers use their beaks to drill into the wood in search of food. They include the great spotted woodpecker, the pileated woodpecker, and the ivory-billed woodpecker.

Sapsuckers: These woodpeckers drill holes in trees to extract sap. They include the yellow-bellied sapsucker, the red-bellied sapsucker, and the Williamson’s sapsucker.

Gleaning woodpeckers: These woodpeckers glean insects from the bark of trees. They include the downy woodpecker, the hairy woodpecker, and the flicker.

Unique methods to make sound

The Art of Knocking

The beaks of woodpeckers are very strong and have a sharp point.  When the beak strikes the wood, it creates a shock wave that travels through the wood and is heard as a knocking sound.

The pitch of the knocking sound depends on the size of the woodpecker and the force of the impact. 

Smaller woodpeckers produce higher-pitched knocking sounds, while larger woodpeckers produce lower-pitched knocking sounds.

Purpose of Knocking in Communication

The knocking sounds that woodpeckers make can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Attracting mates: The knocking sounds can be used to attract mates. Male woodpeckers often drum on trees to attract females.
• Defending territory: The knocking sounds can be used to defend territory. Woodpeckers will often drum on trees to warn other woodpeckers to stay away.
• Locating food: The knocking sounds can be used to locate food. Woodpeckers will often tap on trees to listen for insects.
• Communicating with other woodpeckers: The knocking sounds can be used to communicate with other woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will often use knocking sounds to coordinate their activities, such as when they are excavating a nest hole.

Interesting Facts about Woodpecker Knocking Sounds

• The quality of the knocks, such as their volume and number, can indicate the strength, health, and dominance of the woodpecker making them.
• Knocking sounds are most common in the morning, but they can be heard at any time of day or night.
• Placing moving ribbons or covering the surface area can discourage woodpeckers from knocking at your campsite.
• The tempo and pattern of the knocks can convey a variety of messages, from “I’m looking for a mate” to “Stay away from my territory.”

Large-tailed Nightjar

• The Large-tailed Nightjar is a nocturnal bird with a widespread distribution.
• The bird’s most common call is a monotonous series of hollow “chonk” notes.
• The Large-tailed Nightjar also makes other calls, including a frog-like croaking sound, soft growls, and grunts, and hisses when feeling threatened.
• The bird’s intricately patterned plumage allows it to blend in with the leaf litter or low branches of trees during the day.

The bird that makes a knocking sound UK

There are a number of bird species in the UK that produce unique knocking sounds. Some of the most common include:

Common Raven: The common raven is a large black bird that is found throughout the UK. It is known for its loud, deep croaking calls, but it also makes a distinctive knocking sound by tapping its beak against a hard surface. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker: The great spotted woodpecker is a medium-sized bird that is found in wooded areas throughout the UK. It is known for its drumming sounds, which are made by tapping its beak against a tree trunk. 

Green Woodpecker: The green woodpecker is a smaller bird than the great spotted woodpecker and is found in more open woodland areas. It makes a knocking sound by tapping its beak against a tree trunk, but the sound is higher-pitched and more rapid than the drumming sound of the great spotted woodpecker. 

Willow Tit: The willow tit is a small bird that is found in woodland areas throughout the UK. It makes a knocking sound by tapping its beak against a branch or twig. The sound is short and sharp, and it is often used to attract mates. 

Treecreeper: The treecreeper is a small, brown bird that is found in woodland areas throughout the UK. It makes a knocking sound by tapping its beak against the bark of a tree as it moves up the trunk. The sound is used to locate food and to communicate with other treecreepers. 

The bird that makes a clicking sound uk

The clicking sounds that some birds make are produced by a variety of mechanisms. 

The clicking sound is made by tapping the beak against a hard surface, such as a branch or a tree trunk. 

In other cases, the clicking sound is made by rubbing two parts of the bird’s body together, such as the bill and the tongue.

The big bird that makes a clicking sound

Shoebill Stork: This large, prehistoric-looking bird is found in swamps and wetlands in Africa. It makes a clicking sound by tapping its beak against its chest. The sound is used to attract mates and to defend territory. 

Common Buzzard: This large bird of prey is found in open areas throughout Europe and Asia. It makes a clicking sound by flapping its wings. The clicking sound is used to communicate with other buzzards. 

Black-throated Diver: This large diving bird is found in freshwater lakes and rivers in Europe and Asia. It makes a clicking sound by tapping its beak against the water. The clicking sound is used to communicate with other black-throated divers. 

A blackbird that makes a clicking sound

Blackbird: This common bird is found in gardens and woodlands throughout the UK and Europe. It makes a variety of sounds, including a clicking sound that is used to attract mates. 

Common Grackle: This large black bird is found in North America. It makes a variety of sounds, including a clicking sound that is used to communicate with other grackles. 

Anhinga: This blackbird is found in freshwater wetlands in North and South America. It makes a clicking sound by rubbing its bill against its throat. The clicking sound is used to attract mates and to defend territory. 

The brown bird makes a clicking sound

Brown Thrasher: This large brown bird is found in woodlands and forests throughout North America. It makes a variety of sounds, including a clicking sound that is used to attract mates. 

Brown-headed Cowbird: This medium-sized brown bird is found in open areas throughout North America. It makes a variety of sounds, including a clicking sound that is used to communicate with other cowbirds. 

How to prevent birds from making knocking and clicking sound

Once you know what type of bird is making the knocking sounds, you can research the best way to deter that particular species. 

It is important to note that some of these methods may not be effective for all birds. It is also important to be humane when deterring birds. Do not use methods that will harm the birds or their young.

Here are some ways to prevent birds from making knocking or clicking sounds:

• Install bird deterrents. There are a variety of bird deterrents available, such as reflective tape, plastic owls, and ultrasonic devices. These deterrents can be effective in scaring birds away, but they may not work for all birds.
• Cover the area where the birds are knocking. If the birds are knocking on a specific area, such as a tree or a shed, you can cover the area with a tarp or netting. This will prevent the birds from being able to reach the area and knock on it.
• Change the environment. If the birds are knocking because they are attracted to a particular food source, you can try to remove the food source. For example, if the birds are knocking on a tree because they are looking for insects, you can try to seal up any holes in the tree that the insects are using to enter.
• Be patient. It may take some time to find a method that works to deter the birds. Be patient and keep trying different methods until you find one that works.

What Birdwatchers Must Know About Birds Song vs Birds Sound

• In spring, there are many bird sounds to enjoy, but it can be overwhelming for birdwatchers.
• Learning to identify birds by their vocalizations can be challenging but rewarding.
• Differentiating between songs and calls is important. Songs are more complex and used for mating and defending territory, while calls are shorter and simpler.
• Birds have various types of calls, including alarm calls, contact calls, flight calls, and begging calls.
• Describing bird sounds can be tricky, but paying attention to pitch, tempo, and tone can help.
• Other than vocals, birds make sounds through drumming, wing flaps, and other movements, which can provide behavioral clues for identification.

Wrap Up

The mystery of the bird making knocking sounds adds a delightful touch to nature’s symphony. Whether it’s a woodpecker, nuthatch, or another feathered friend, appreciating their unique sounds enriches our connection with the avian world. Happy bird song listening!

FAQ

Howard L. Darnell

I am a writer and blogger who is passionate about birds. I write to inspire and educate others about the beauty and importance of avian species in our ecosystem. I love to watch birds flying and taking their photographs to capture those memories.