Why does my chipmunk chirp

The one heard most often is a chip-chip noise in a steady and high-pitched cadence usually mistaken for a bird call. This is how the pests communicate that ground predators, such as cats or foxes, are nearby.

Surprisingly, chipmunks have a completely different sound to warn of hawks and other flying predators. It is a much lower tone that sounds like cluck-cluck and has been likened to a drumstick striking hollow wood. Chipmunks are highly animated yard pests for most of the year, their active period covering spring, summer, and fall.

They dig long burrows underground and damage gardens by tearing up bulbs, seedlings, and fruits. Chipmunks also loiter below birdfeeders to vacuum up dropped seeds, annoying birds. Sometimes the pests are so pervasive that homeowners are driven to remove wood or rock piles and trim back plantings to eliminate cover. They are emitted by a fleeing chipmunk and can be in response to mammalian, as well as, aerial predators.

Baby chipmunks have also been observed to emit this sound when running away from adult conspecifics. When chipmunks hear the trill sound, they become alert. This sound is also distinctive from the ones emitted by most ground squirrels. However, other squirrels , such as yellow-bellied marmots, hoary marmots, Olympic marmots, and Vancouver Island marmots, emit a trill sound when they disappear into a burrow.

This is usually when they are hiding from a predator. Another study examined the foraging behavior of Eastern chipmunks in response to alarm calls emitted by their conspecifics. It was observed that Eastern chipmunks tend to change their foraging behavior when they hear an alarm call.

They become more vigilant. This response is consistent across other species of squirrels as well. The responses also vary according to the following factors:. Chipmunks also decrease their load size in response to an alarm call. They tend to spend more time in their burrows after hearing an alarm call as well. Studies suggest that the Eastern and Western chipmunks produce three types of sounds. These are chips, chucks, and trills.

Chipmunk sounds or chipmunk alarm calls are usually emitted in the presence of a predator. These alarm calls can vary according to the type of predator as well. For instance, a chipping sound is usually emitted in the presence of a mammalian predator.

On the other hand, chucking sounds are emitted in the presence of an aerial predator. These sounds also differ in terms of length, frequency, and proximity. Chips and chucks are emitted when a chipmunk detects a predator from an elevated position. Trills are emitted when a chipmunk is being chased by a predator. When a chipmunk hears these alarm calls, it will alter its foraging behavior as well.

Frank puts transmitters that measure skin temperature on wild chipmunks at the Fordham University field station, where he has monitored hibernating chipmunks since In and the research area was subject to record warmth in November and December. As such, chipmunks serve as one more warning that global warming is closing in. A groundbreaking bipartisan bill aims to address the looming wildlife crisis before it's too late, while creating sorely needed jobs.

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