🐔 Domestic Chicken
Gallus gallus domesticus
The familiar farmyard bird has a surprisingly large vocabulary, from contented clucks to alarm cackles and full-volume rooster crows.
🔊 Hear the call
🐔 Domestic Chicken
Reference call (simulated)
“Short, separate clucks and bok-bok cackles; roosters make a rising, multi-part cock-a-doodle-doo crow”
What they sound like
Short, separate clucks and bok-bok cackles; roosters make a rising, multi-part cock-a-doodle-doo crow
Why they make this sound
- · Hens cluck to keep in contact with the flock
- · A loud cackle often follows egg laying or excitement
- · Roosters crow to advertise themselves and their territory
- · Sharp repeated notes warn the flock about danger
When you’ll hear them
Throughout the day, with rooster crows especially common around dawn
Where they live
Farms, backyards, rural properties and neighborhoods with domestic flocks Domestic worldwide
Fun fact
Researchers have described dozens of distinct chicken calls used for food, danger, contact and courtship.
Should I be concerned?
Domestic chickens are generally harmless. Give unfamiliar birds space, and wash your hands after handling poultry or coop equipment.
Sound signature
- Sound type
- Domestic bird vocalization — cluck, cackle or crow
- Pitch
- Medium to high
- Pattern
- Distinct short clucks, irregular cackling phrases, or a rising multi-part crow; no rapid rolling gobble
- Frequency
- 300–4,000 Hz