Caught on Camera: Listen to the Unsettling 'Laughing' Call of Urban Coyotes

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Q1: Does a laughing coyote sound mean an animal is being attacked or killed?
A1: No. Coyotes hunt in near-total silence to avoid alerting prey and rival predators. The laughing sound is a combination of excitement barks and yip-howls, used primarily to celebrate reunions, re-establish territorial boundaries, or locate pack members during the breeding season.

Q2: Why does two coyotes vocalizing sound like a massive pack?
A2: This phenomenon is known as the "beau geste effect." Coyotes vocalize using rapid, rapidly modulated frequencies and overlapping pitches. When two individuals alternate sounds rapidly, our brains struggle to isolate single sources, creating an auditory illusion that sounds like eight to ten animals.

Q3: What should I do if a pack starts laughing outside my bedroom window?
A3: Turn on exterior floodlights, make loud noises by clapping or shouting, and bang hard objects together. While the vocalization itself is harmless, driving the animals away through consistent hazing prevents them from becoming comfortable near residential structures.