This less prestigious relative of the horse may look similar in body type, but as soon as gets it opens its mouth, the distinction couldn't be more clear. While horses neigh and whinny, donkeys and mules (which are donkey and horse hybrids) create a more obnoxious and harsh sound called a bray. Donkeys braying make a “hee-haw or “eeyore” sound that is quite unique! Donkeys use vocalizations to interact with the rest of the herd, varying the pitch of their voices to communicate different things. While braying may be a donkey’s way of asking for food or calling out to their burro friends, most commonly it is the animal's sign of distress. Can you tell the difference between a friendly and a distressed bray?
Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning about donkey vocalizations with the high quality sounds in this app!
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. Wild donkeys, called burros, live in desert plains, where they survive on little food and water for long periods. Donkeys have a two-toned call that sounds pretty funny. In English, this sound is called braying, and is written as hee-haw.
Donkeys make a loud sound developed in order to maintain contact with other donkeys over wide spaces in the desert. This is called a bray. While donkeys in captivity have no need to stay in contact with other donkeys over space, they will still bray for a variety of reasons.
