Country sounds at night

Below are some of the typical sounds one would hear in the countryside at night.

These calls of the wild make a pleasant alternative to the other sounds of rifle shots, shotguns and pistol shots, drunk pedestrians, Diepsloot DJs, local DJs, and of course dogs.

Becoming familiar with these natural nocturnal sounds, especially for newcomers to the countryside, will avoid uncessary call outs of private security as will learning to recognise when these animals become disturbed by actual intruders.

Admittedly some of these bird calls, especially when you are caught unawares walking outside at night, will make your hair stand up, but soon enough you will treasure those sounds.

If we are missing other nocturnal sounds, let us know.

Sounds like a dove in the middle of the night, but it is actually an owl.

Southern White-faced Scops Owl (Ptilopsis granti) Bird Call | Nocturnal Birds

Marsh Owl (Asio capensis)

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Calling

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Various Calls

Spotted Eagle Owl

African Scops Owl calls

The African Grass Owl (Tyto capensis)  – Protected Species (if you find nest sites, alert EWT)

Fiery-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis

Fiery-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis

Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas) 

Kiewiet distress call
Kiewiet distress call

FORMERLY known as the crowned plover, the crowned lapwing. The African name is Gixiya and in Afrikaans, kroonkiewiet.


Burhinus capensis (Spotted thick-knee, Spotted dikkop) 

Many of these are found in Gauteng

Coming this Spring, frog sounds!

Not all of these are found in Gauteng, but the last one certainly is.

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