Have you ever felt insecure about the way you depict a sound in your writing?
The other day I struggled to come up with onomatopoeic words for an action in my story,
and ended up using "plonk" and "kerplonk."
Not genius, by any means, but usable words.
Except now I’m questioning how I hear things.
I’ve always used "creaky" to describe the sound of a Mourning Dove taking flight,
but just did research that indicates most, if not all, people would describe that sound
as "whistling."
Say what?!
Tracy Abell 
I’m not sure I’ve heard it — I’ll have to keep my ears open đ
LikeLike
Once you hear it you’ll wonder why you never noticed the sound before (at least, that’s how it is for me). It’s quite pronounced.
LikeLike
I’ve always thought mourning doves sound like helicopters before they take off.
LikeLike
Helicopters. Wow, that’s cool. We all hear differently, for sure.
LikeLike
Well, I’m not sure I’d describe it as a creaking sound, if only because that suggests a slow & labored movement. A mourning dove’s flight pattern is lightning fast, at least on take-off. I’ve seen them glide effortlessly to a soft landing, but I guess I’d go with whistling, too, for the type of movement that suggests. Or maybe a prop plane. (To me, when a hummingbird’s wings start whirring, they sound like helicopter propellers.)
LikeLike
They explode in movement and then there’s that sound as they fly away. Whistling does seem to better fit their motions. But darn it, it sounds creaky to me. đ
And yes, I hear hummingbirds’ wings as propellers, too.
LikeLike
Describe it how you describe it. Other people lack your powers of observation and imagination. “Creaky” sounds just right to me.
LikeLike
Thank you, Kelly. It’s true we hear how we hear, and it makes sense to use our own observations that ring true.
LikeLike
You just gave me a great idea when I work with kids. Thanks! (BEAUTIFUL pic!)
LikeLike
Ooh, I’d love to hear what you have planned.
LikeLike
I like your “creaky.” But yes, it’s complicated. I have ravens in my book, and describing their sounds has been tricky. “Croak” is the accepted word, but what I hear is something more like a cross between a gargle and a purr and a bark. And sometimes they just click.
LikeLike
Ravens are most definitely tricky to describe. They have such varied speech patterns. I think you’d be correct using any of those descriptive words. Then again, I hear “creaky.” đ
LikeLike
Huh!
I can see “creaky” but I’ve always heard a whistling sound. A soft, high-pitched whistle.
LikeLike
It’s official…The Mighty Dotificus is an ornithologist in training!
LikeLike