Trying to Identify a Bird

[BobT]

I'm not a birder but I have been hearing a bird around here that I've been trying to identify. As it flies a little above the treetops it makes a sound similar to someone drawing a bow across a hand saw while wobbling the saw rapidly as in whoop...whoop...whoop...whoop... It's not a very large bird, maybe about the size of a robin but I've never been able to see it come to land so I can't describe its color.

Sorry I can't provide any more detail.  

[eyeguy 54]

you might be hearing the dive of the american woodcock.  maybe.  but they are usually up pretty high and when they dive it makes the woop woop woop woop sound.  really neat.  I always wondered what bird made that sound and one day I heard one so I grabbed the binocs and sure enough, american woodcock. 

[eyeguy 54]

the woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo  sound is fast and close together that I have heard many times.

 

[eyeguy 54]

if it's a slow woop woop maybe a young owl? 

[BobT]

you might be hearing the dive of the american woodcock.  maybe.  but they are usually up pretty high and when they dive it makes the woop woop woop woop sound.  really neat.  I always wondered what bird made that sound and one day I heard one so I grabbed the binocs and sure enough, american woodcock. 

I doubt it would be a woodcock in this area. At least I've never seen them around here.

Edit: for fun I searched woodcock sounds and that isn't it. 

Edited June 29, 2015 by BobT
More info.

[BobT]

the woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo  sound is fast and close together that I have heard many times.

 

It's fast. About three to four woops per second. 

[eyeguy 54]

I think I have it figured out. Probably a Wilsons Snipe. I always get them and the woodcock mixed up, they look a lot alike.   I also get other things mixed up... just ask my wife. lol

[eyeguy 54]

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Snipe/sounds

[eyeguy 54]

grab the binocs when you hear it next time and look up high for it. good luck 

 

[RebelSS]

Maybe this guy...I had one driving me nuts with his funky calls, until I saw him swoop and land on a branch.

 

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds

[eyeguy 54]

the famous who cooks for you all call  

[RebelSS]

the famous who cooks for you all call  

​Winner, winner, chicken dinner!  

[eyeguy 54]

I dont think bobt is hearing the owl.    fun hearing them tho. 

[BobT]

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Snipe/sounds

​By George, I mean eyeguy 54, I believe you got it!  That is exactly the sound I hear.  Thanks for solving the mystery. 

[eyeguy 54]

cool, now take me fishin.  

 

[DonBo]

cool, now take me fishin.  

 

The sound I hear now is......crickets.......

 

 

Edited July 27, 2015 by DonBo