You can imagine my disappointment when this video came out blurry — even when I refocused it stayed blurry. However, the sound is clear: two coyotes yip after hearing a siren. The other coyote initiated the yipping — that one was about 150 feet away from this one, and this one joined in. It was a very short yipping session which lasted just over what I was able to capture in the video. The same high-pitched sounds that were used here for responding to sirens, are also used as happy greeting vocalizations.
Some individuals mistakenly have thought that these high pitched squeals were the sounds of puppies and spread rumors that there were coyote puppies around, when in fact, it was just adults squealing their adult squeals. As you can see from the video, these are adult vocalizations. And, again, there were only two coyotes involved, though one might easily think that the sounds were coming from many coyotes.
Coyote Yipps 
Jan 03, 2012 @ 03:24:23
I love that sound! Thank you.
Jan 03, 2012 @ 03:57:49
Yeah, it’s pretty neat!
Jan 03, 2012 @ 17:43:20
The blurriness doesn’t matter at all – the video is fascinating, amusing and, well, beautiful. Here in NYC, we are in the early stages of learning about urban coyotes, and I am doing my best to use my own urban nature blog to educate readers about these extraordinary animals. Coyote Yipps is terrific.
Jan 03, 2012 @ 20:01:50
I really appreciate your comment — thank you for liking the video and for educating readers about our coyotes! We’re on the same team! Janet
Jan 05, 2012 @ 04:34:24
Oh, I’m so glad to have found you. About a year ago I was doing research for my book and really could’ve used some feedback from an expert. I can’t wait to wander through your site. Thanks so much for sharing your information. I’ve been around coyotes all my life, but simply considered them varmints of the habitat. Your objective observations are great.
Jan 05, 2012 @ 05:05:57
Hi Barb — So glad you are enjoying the site. I, and the others who have contributed, all rely on our own first-hand observations for the postings — there is a lot of heart in much of what you’ll find here! Janet