Birds in Media

Have you ever been watching a movie and heard the “SQUAAAAAWK” of a macaw that makes you turn your head because you’re 99% sure you’ve never heard a macaw make that noise? If you’re anything like me you definitely have had that moment before.

If you own a macaw at home then you already know that iconic movie squawk isn't typically the actual sound of a macaw, but rather a generic screech from a sound effects library. These stock sounds were created or recorded decades ago and reused in hundreds of productions. Much like the famous Wilhelm scream, it’s a case of a single dramatic sound effect becoming a cliché.

Interestingly enough, the squawk is not necessarily from a macaw; in some versions, it may actually come from a red-tailed hawk, a peacock, or even a monkey, with the pitch altered in post-production. Despite this, the sound has been used so consistently that audiences now associate it with parrots, regardless of its actual origin.

It likely originated from well-known collections like the Hollywood Edge or the BBC Sound Effects Library, where it was labeled generically as something like “Parrot Screech” or “Macaw Call.” It became widely used because it was dramatic, easily accessible, and helped quickly set a jungle or exotic scene for viewers.

Films you might hear this in:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Indiana Jones

Jungle Cruise

SpongeBob SquarePants.

It’s also common in theme parks and documentaries, where exotic bird calls are often dubbed in after filming.

(Also, fun fact, almost all “Bald Eagle screams” in movies are Red-tailed Hawks. You’re welcome.)