Help identify scary nocturnal animal noise?

Question

Ok. So I just had the bejeebus scared out of me. I was sitting on my back deck, minding my own business, when I hear the most bizarre animal noise in my woods. At first I thought it was just a screaming firecracker--till the damned thing kept getting closer and closer, right up to the deck.

I've NEVER heard a sound like this before. It was similar to the sound a goose makes--you know, that gurgling honking noise? But it was high pitched. It was almost like a cross between a coyote and a hedgehog.

Does anybody know of any noise like this? If not can anyone provide sites with nocturnal animal sound clips?

I live in the lower northeast coastal area (Think DE, MD, VA, PA). I know we have deer, foxes, raccoons, and possums. I've SEEN those. But i've never heard this noise, EVER, in my eight years living here, heard this sound before.

So, any ideas?

Answer 1

Hmm...possible Bob Barker sighting?

I'm just kidding. Anyways, It sounds like some kind of bird. I'd suggest listening to some bird calls from birds around your area. That's all I've got.

And if you DO see Bob Barker hiding out there...don't be afraid to call the police.

Answer 2

it couldve been injured or like attacking. i dunno.

Answer 3

i live in DE - and i haven't heard anything quite like that, and i can't say for sure, but it's possible it could have been some type of frog.  they make some pretty crazy noises.  and squirrels scream sometimes too.

Answer 4

soddy that was probaly me

Answer 5

besides the crickets...all other sounds at night is scary...even humans.....

Answer 6

Go out and check.

Here is a site with different animal names, if you click on the animal name it plays a soundclip of that animal:

http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Nocturnal_A...

Good Luck!

Answer 7

maybe an eagle??

Answer 8

RONALD MCDONALD!

No, but it could've been like a Badger or something.

Answer 9

Fox, maybe.  You think that's creepy, you should hear a cougar.  Dang things sound like a woman calling for help.

Answer 10

maybe an owl? their nocturnal and i think they make a kind of shrieking noise....or maybe Bigfoot

Answer 11

you are describing an Elk bugaling There are some in PA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNyJURm4x...

Answer 12

bobcat? they can make weird noises.

Answer 13

maybe possibly a bobcat

Answer 14

I know this isn't particularly helpful...

But you're going to get eaten.

Alright, so no. Maybe not. But I just watched The Mist, and it is a possibility, you know.

Anyways, I'm not sure what it could be. Maybe a sick coyote? It could have been hurt. I let out an inhuman shriek whenever I'm hurt, so...

Answer 15

I'm not really sure from your description what exactly it sounded like. But some owls-- like the Eastern screech owl and the barred owl would scare you if you did not know what they were. See the http://www.birds.cornell.edu website for sound clips of these owls.

Also neighborhood cats when they are fighting make some other-worldly sounds.

Answer 16

As unlikely as it sounds - it could be a cat.  They make bizarre noises sometimes. Or..  a racoon?

Answer 17

well it sounds like it could be a cicadia its a winged insect... google it.. maybe there are some samples of noises.. go to the website posted below.. take a look.. remember there are different kinds and different noises