Bird call identification - Ratchet sounding

[Spazmo]

Howdy fellow CGN'ers!

I was out for a walk today in southern Manitoba (south of Portage La Prairie), scouting for good grouse territory. I managed to get within eight feet of one, couldn't see it with all the grass and leaves still on the tress, and when I was about to move on, one step and it flew up and off. It's patience was only two seconds more than mine. Needless to say, I think I've found a decent spot.

My troubles came in later. I was walking around, and I heard a bird call, that sounded like a ratchet being used. Do any of the wise and noble people here have any idea what I was hearing?

 

[G P]

Wasn't a woodpecker pecking was it?

 

[Big Jon]

Could also be a raven...they make all sorts of sounds.

 

[tigrr]

google Blue Jay sounds or Whiskey Jack sounds. There are quite a few coming down from the north.

 

[mooncoon]

Sandhill cranes and herons sound like a rusty gate opening; is that what you mean by sounding like a ratchet

cheers mooncoon

 

[Spazmo]

It really sounded like/reminded me of a ratchet socket set. It was a very 'clicky' sound. Thanks for the info leads. Youtube to check out the calls and to try and track this animal down.

 

[RoscoeT]

It was some bush psycho watching you and spinning his revolver chamber. Don't go in the woods again.

 

[Spazmo]

Haha,this is Manitoba after all... Sounds like a bad sequel to "The Hills Have Eyes". "The Bushes have .45's"

 

[doublelung]

I'm guessing Raven.


DL

 

[dead meat]

I like RoscoeT`s guess as to the sound.