Bald eagles are mighty and ferocious-looking, but contrary to popular belief they do not possess the piercing cries attributed to them by Hollywood sound editors.
In fact, bald eagle vocalizations are comparatively more subdued and chirpy – said by some to resemble laughter.
As Explore.org and the Raptor Resource Project explained Monday in a social-media video post: “Movies and TV shows often use a red-tailed hawk’s vocalizations to represent a bald eagle, but here’s what they truly sound like.”
The footage (posted below) shows two bald eagles conversing about what appear to be serious matters.
Movies and TV shows often use a red-tailed hawk’s vocalizations to represent a bald eagle, but here’s what they truly sound like. pic.twitter.com/wloMl9CAVU
— explore.org (@exploreorg) November 14, 2023
For comparison, click here to listen to red-tailed hawk vocalizations.
This topic seems to be raised each year as bald eagles enter their nest-building and breeding seasons.
The Alaska Raptor Center last January informed its followers: “Hollywood sound editors often dub over a Bald Eagle’s call with another bird’s vocalization? The piercing, earthy screams of a Red-tailed Hawk.”
The Raptor Center used residents Sunset and Thor as examples of bald eagles “showing off their vocalization skills.”
Again, whatever they discussed – or argued about? – seemed deadly serious.