Bird that screams?

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southwestSydney
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Bird that screams?

Sorry about the vague description but someone may know.

What bird sounds like a child screaming?

I hear it everyday at my house but never see it nor have any idea what it is, and i know every neighbourhood species besides this one. Unless it is some sort of rogue starling noise but i highly doubt it as its one single bird and its only a very occasional noise each day.

Any ideas??

In south west sydney if you didnt guess! :)

DenisWilson
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There is one bird which is famous for its screams. It was the source of the endless rumours of "Lost Woman" stories in the early days of European settlement in Australia. It is the Barking Owl.
However, it is quite rare, and unlikely to be found in suburban areas. "SW Sydney" might be bushland, however. I have heard it once in Robertson (NSW Southern Highlands). It is blood-curdling.
BiBY Bird Finder says: The Barking Owl is named for its harsh 'barking' call but can also make a much louder, wailing cry, which has given rise to another name, the 'screaming-woman bird'
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=56
The BiBY Bird Finder has a sound file for the Barking call, but not the Scream.
Hope this helps.
Denis

southwestSydney
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Nope definitely not the Barking Owl. This is day time and suburban. It is not a blood curdling scream but just one high pitched 'little girl' shriek. It's also not the Catbird which I've never heard but sounds spooky online!

nick22
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a bush stone curlew mabye???

magpie
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Does anyone have a sound recording of a Bush Stone-curlew?

nick22
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