Calls at night

[Dr. John]

Over the past week, we have been hearing something calling repeatedly from the top of a tree in our downtown neighbourhood (Gerrard and Broadview). It is usually well after sunset. The call is a repeated figure of two or three that is somewhat raspy and vaguely quack-ish - "ack-ack-ack, ack-ack" etc.

Quick checks with my bird CD set doesn't match up with a few nocturnal choices, so any suggestions about what this might be. It could also be a frog I guess, but I don't know of ones that call from the tops of city trees. Similarly, I don't know of an insect that call this way but it could be one.

-John

[mike]

Just a guess John but maybe a Black Crowned Night Heron?
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/24/_/B ... Heron.aspx

[Dr. John]

Thanks. Good suggestion, but the pitch is different and the call is faster in the case of what we're hearing.

-John

[Julie]

hi

I lived in that area for four years and heard a lot of night-calling cicadas, generally high in the trees. Very loud, staccato and repetitive. Neighbours checked with U of T after people were kept up by the sound and they said mid to late summer on fairly warm evenings is prime time for some species of cicada. I wondered if the proximity of the Don Valley had something to do with it, because I've only heard the insect once since over here at Coxwell and Gerrard.

Julie

[Dr. John]

hi

I lived in that area for four years and heard a lot of night-calling cicadas, generally high in the trees. Very loud, staccato and repetitive. Neighbours checked with U of T after people were kept up by the sound and they said mid to late summer on fairly warm evenings is prime time for some species of cicada. I wondered if the proximity of the Don Valley had something to do with it, because I've only heard the insect once since over here at Coxwell and Gerrard.

Julie

That sounds possible. I didn't realise cicadas had a different call at night, but other stuff I've read based on your tip seems consistent with the calls I've heard. Thanks!

-John

[DavidB]

Have you considered Katydids? They are related to Grasshoppers, and are common nocturnal vocalizers in the outer 'burbs. I see no reason they shouldn't be present in the city where vegetation is suitable. Try to google 'katydid sounds' and see what you come up with.

[David Shilman]

OK, I'm going to go out on a limb, here.  Could it be a squirrel?

[Dr. John]

It's not the same sound as a squirrel and it occurs way past typical squirrel bedtime. I'm thinking it is an insect, like a cicada or katydid as mentioned above.

-John