I introduced the topic of onomatopoeia yesterday with a number of “noisy verbs” found in English. Remember onomatopoeia is a word that imitates or suggests the source of the sound that it describes.  Today I am going to focus on the verbs used to describe the sounds that animals make.  Keep in mind these are all verbs and so they need to be conjugated to be used correctly.  Tomorrow I will give you the onomatopoeia versions of the sounds that animals make, some of which can also be used as verbs, while others are just the written versions of animal sounds.

to buzz: to make a low droning or vibrating sound usually associated with insects
Bees buzz as they fly about collecting pollen.

to howl: to emit a long, mournful sound usually associated with wolfs or dogs
The wolf howled to the full moon all night long.

to screech: a loud piercing sound like a cry usually associated with birds
The crow screeched in the distance when it saw the people approaching.

to chirp: a short, high-pitched sound, made by a small bird or an insect
The little birds chirped happily from the branch of a tree.

to neigh: the long, low-pitched sound made by a horse
The horse neighed as it came to a stop.

to squeak: a short high-pitch cry or noise usually associated with a mouse
The little mouse squeaked as it ran around the house.

to moo: a deep, bellowing sound made by a cow
The cows mooed in the field while they ate grass.

to hiss: a sound like that of the letter s, often made by snakes
The snake hissed at the hiker when it got to close.