Howler Monkey
Sounds & Calls
Colombian Red Howler (Alouatta seniculus)
Howler monkeys are primates of the subfamily Alouattinae and are found in the neotropics. Currently 15 species are recognized.
Howler monkeys live in groups and vocal communication is an important part of their social behaviour. They are famous for their loud roaring (howling) calls and studies suggest these howling bouts are serve as territorial defense, advertising &/or protecting food sources and mate-guarding.
What does a howler monkey sound like? The typical loud calls of howler monkeys consist of deep, guttural roars which waver in intensity and resonate for long distances through the rainforest. Howler monkeys also make throaty coughing sounds, gurgling grunts, barks and growls. One study documented 12 different call types for Black Howler (Alouatta caraya) and noted that both male and female howlers take part in the loud calling bouts, although males make these particular calls more frequently.
The calls of howler monkeys are one of the loudest sounds produced by any land mammal.
Listen to some examples of howler monkey calls and sounds below.
Listen to Howler Monkey Sounds
The audio in the video below features the typical roaring calls of a group of Colombian Red Howlers (Alouatta seniculus) at dawn in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Colombian Red Howler – Howling and guttural grunts
F3ES_004 This sample features the a few typical roars along with coughing, guttural grunts from a Colombian Red Howler. Recorded in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, Ecuador.
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