What’s That Noise? Australian Birds with the Strangest Calls

Australia is famous for its unique wildlife, and its birds are no exception. While many birds are known for their songs and chirps, some Aussie species stand out for their unusual, surprising, or downright strange vocalizations.

Here are four Australian birds you might hear before you see, each with a sound that's anything but ordinary.

😂 Laughing Kookaburra

The Laughing Kookaburra’s call is one of the most iconic sounds of the Australian bush. It starts with a chuckle and builds into full-blown laughter, echoing through forests, suburbs, and even city parks.

Despite its comical sound, this bird is a serious predator, feeding on insects, lizards, and small snakes. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to hear their territorial "laugh battles."

🎧 Sounds like: Maniacal, human-like laughter

🦜 Gang-gang Cockatoo

With a scruffy crest and a cute, chunky beak, the Gang-gang Cockatoo might not look intimidating, but its call is unforgettable. When flying or perched, it makes a sound that many Aussies compare to a creaky door or a cork being pulled from a bottle.

These birds live in cooler forests of southeastern Australia and are often seen in pairs or small groups.

🎧 Sounds like: A rusty hinge or squeaky garden gate

🎭 Superb Lyrebird

The Superb Lyrebird is a true mimic master. This shy forest bird has one of the most complex vocal repertoires in the world, copying other bird species, and even artificial sounds like camera shutters, chainsaws, and car alarms.

During breeding season, males put on elaborate vocal and visual displays, mimicking dozens of birds in rapid sequence while fanning out their incredible tail feathers.

🎧 Sounds like: Everything! Other birds, machinery, even human-made noises

🕶️ Black Currawong

Found mostly in Tasmania, the Black Currawong is a large, all-black bird with bright yellow eyes and a powerful bill. Its calls are loud, varied, and often have a flute-like or croaky tone, sometimes compared to a crow trying to sing opera.

They’re clever, curious birds, often seen patrolling picnic areas or scavenging in parks.

🎧 Sounds like: Flute-like whistles, warbles, and croaks

🐧 Little Penguin

Found along southern Australia’s coastlines, Little Penguins may look cute, but their vocalizations are loud and bizarre, ranging from braying donkey-like calls to guttural growls and honks. Their vocal style is harsh and surprising, especially when heard at night in a penguin colony!

These calls help individuals recognize their mates and chicks in the noisy crowd.

🎧 Sounds like: A baby donkey, a grumbling stomach, or something out of a cartoon horror movie.

🎧 Why Do These Birds Sound So Weird?

Bird calls serve all kinds of purposes: marking territory, attracting mates, or warning off predators. In Australia's varied ecosystems, birds have evolved unique sounds to stand out in the crowd, or blend in cleverly by mimicking others.

Want to explore more strange and beautiful bird calls? Visit a local nature reserve with your ears open -- you never know what you’ll hear! Meanwhile, we'll be listening out for these birds during our travels through Australia. We hope we can hear some of them!