Coyotes make a variety of vocalizations that serve different purposes. When it comes to killing prey, coyotes may use certain sounds to coordinate with pack members or intimidate prey. Here is an overview of the sounds coyotes make when hunting and killing prey:
Quick Intro on Coyote Vocalizations
Coyotes have an extensive vocal repertoire consisting of various howls, yips, barks, and other sounds. Their vocalizations can be broadly categorized as:
- Long-range communication – Howls and yip-howls used to communicate with other coyotes across long distances.
- Close-range communication – Growls, woofs, yelps, and other short vocalizations used for communication between pack members.
- Aggressive/alarm calls – Barks and guttural huffs used to threaten intruders or warn of danger.
Coyotes may use different vocalizations strategically when hunting depending on factors like the type of prey, number of pack members present, and whether they are trying to communicate over long distances.
Vocalizations Directed at Prey
When coyotes are in direct pursuit of prey, they may use aggressive vocalizations directed at the prey animal itself. These can include:
- Barks – Sharper, higher-pitched barks are thought to be used to frighten and disorient prey. The sudden barrage of barks can cause prey to stop and freeze in fear rather than keep fleeing.
- Growls – Low, menacing growls may intimidate smaller prey and signal imminent attack.
- Huffs – Guttural huffing sounds warn prey of their impending demise.
Directing these intimidating sounds at the prey animal helps freeze it in place or stop it from fighting back, making for an easier kill. The sounds also communicate to fellow pack members that the animal is to be attacked.
Vocal Cues Used When Hunting in Groups
When hunting in packs, coyotes use vocalizations to coordinate their attack strategy and movements. Some key sounds used include:
- Short yips – Quick, high-pitched yelps are used to indicate location. For example, one coyote may yip as it herds prey towards the ambush spot where fellow pack members lie waiting.
- Barks – A coyote may bark to signal the pack to immediately give chase or attack the prey animal.
- Howls and yip-howls – Howling helps disorient prey while also allowing coyotes to locate one another before initiating an attack.
Well-coordinated vocal communication allows the coyotes to launch their ambush effectively, surrounding the prey animal and attacking from multiple directions at once.
Long-Range Communication During the Hunt
Coyotes also use long-distance vocalizations like howls and yip-howls to communicate while hunting:
- They may howl to call in fellow pack members from up to 5 miles away to participate in a hunt.
- Certain howls convey information about the type and location of prey found by the first coyote.
- Howls allow separated coyotes to coordinate their movements and ambush positions during the hunt.
- Once the prey is taken, coyotes may howl or yip to summon the entire pack for feeding.
These long-range vocalizations are key to allowing coyotes to communicate effectively as they move into position around prey.
Sounds Upon Making the Kill
Once coyotes have successfully taken down prey after a chase, they make additional vocalizations including:
- Yips, yelps, and short howls to immediately call pack members to feed.
- Contented grunts and growls are made while eating the kill.
- Aggressive barking to warn away other predators or coyotes from their kill.
- Yipping and howling once again after eating, possibly to communicate satiation and reassemble the pack.
These sounds allow the coyotes to take advantage of the hard-won food source effectively within their pack.
What Sounds Are Heard During Specific Hunts
The types of vocalizations used may vary based on the exact kind of hunt and prey. Here are some examples:
Coyotes Hunting Small Animals Alone
- Low growls and huffs when first approaching prey.
- Several staccato barks to startle and freeze prey.
- Biting and shaking the animal while emitting muffled grunts and growls.
- Possible short howls or yips afterward to call in others to feed.
Coyotes Hunting Large Prey as a Pack
- Yip-howls to summon the pack to hunt.
- Barks and short yips to coordinate movements around prey.
- Howls to locate one another immediately before the strike.
- Growls and snarls once attacking the animal.
- Yelps, yips, and howls to call in the pack to feed.
Coyotes Ambushing Small Prey
- Possible low woofs and yips as they quietly encircle prey.
- Rapid string of barks to startle prey as they strike.
- Huffs and growls while subduing the animal.
- Yips and short howls to summon others to feed.
In general, coyote vocalizations throughout a hunt are meant to effectively communicate between pack members and intimidate prey.
Why Do Coyotes Make Noise When Killing?
There are several reasons why coyotes may vocalize when making a kill:
- Intimidating prey – Barking, growling, and huffing can frighten prey animals into freezing or submission.
- Signaling the pack – Yips, yelps, barks, and howls call in fellow coyotes to help make the kill and eat.
- Communicating locations – Sounds allow coyotes to coordinate their positioning around prey.
- Warning threats – Aggressive barking may warn away competing predators from their kill.
- Celebrating a successful hunt – Howls and yips after eating may reflect the coyotes’ excitement over their victorious hunt.
Overall, the noises help the pack hunt effectively, maximize their resources, and defend their food from competition.
Do Coyotes Make Noise When Killing Livestock/Pets?
Coyotes do frequently make noise when killing smaller livestock animals like sheep, goats, or calves and pets like cats and small dogs. The types of sounds are similar to those made when hunting prey:
- Barks, growls, and huffs to intimidate vulnerable livestock or pets.
- Yips and short howls to call in fellow pack members to attack.
- Biting and shaking animals while emitting muffled grunts and snarls.
- Yelps and howls after killing, possibly to celebrate or summon others to feed.
Some key differences may include that killing of smaller, defenseless livestock or pets requires less coordinated vocalization between coyotes. Howls to communally feed may be louder and more excited, reflecting the easy availability of the food source.
Do Coyotes Make Noise When Killing Large Livestock?
When attacking larger livestock like adult cattle or horses, coyotes are much less likely to vocalize significantly. Some reasons include:
- Large hooved livestock are dangerous prey, so coyotes avoid drawing attention before attacking.
- Surprise attacks are more effective than prolonged hunts for subduing large prey.
- Full-grown cattle and horses are difficult to kill, so cries of victory or feeding may not occur.
- Single coyotes or pairs may target large livestock rather than full packs.
However, if coyotes do make any sounds around large livestock kills, they may include:
- An occasional low bark or growl from a safe distance.
- Excited yipping once the animal goes down, possibly summoning others.
- Yelps and howls calling others to feed if the coyotes were successful.
Overall though, coyotes tend to be quieter and more cautious when attacking large, dangerous livestock prey.
Do Urban Coyotes Hunt Differently?
Coyotes in urban areas may vocalize less when hunting due to the higher human presence. Changes in their hunting behavior include:
- Hunting alone or in smaller packs to avoid notice.
- Ambushing prey quietly versus wearing down prey with prolonged chases.
- Using surprise attacks rather than intimidation on prey.
- Dragging kills to secluded areas instead of feeding openly.
- Howling and yipping less to avoid drawing human attention.
Urban coyotes have learned that avoiding noise helps them survive undetected in human habitats. So kills may involve minimal vocalization besides occasional quiet barks or grunts.
Key Things to Know About Coyote Kill Sounds
In summary, here are some key facts to understand about the sounds coyotes make when killing prey:
- Coyotes vocalize to coordinate pack attack strategies and movements.
- Intimidating sounds like barks and growls are directed at prey to freeze them.
- Yips, yelps, and howls summon pack members to hunt or feed.
- Long distance calls like howls allow coyotes to locate one another while hunting.
- Grunts, snarls, and growls are emitted when biting and subduing prey.
- Coyotes tend to be quieter when hunting large or dangerous prey like livestock.
- Urban coyotes vocalize less due to higher human presence.
Recognizing these coyote calls can help people better understand coyote behavior and activity in an area.
Conclusion
Coyotes have a complex vocal repertoire used strategically when hunting prey. Barks, growls, howls, yips, and other sounds allow coyotes to intimidate prey, coordinate pack members, and celebrate successful hunts. The specific vocalizations vary based on factors like prey type, pack size, habitat, and whether the coyotes are trying to avoid human detection. Understanding coyote vocal behavior provides insights into their survival strategies and adaptations to various environments.