Why Do Donkeys Bray? (5 Reasons They Hee Haw)

Figuring out why donkeys bray can be tricky. There are lots of reasons.

In this article you’ll learn:

  • 5 main reasons for the noise
  • How you can prevent it
  • What the sound actually is

I’ve spent hundreds of hours researching donkey behavior and have a keen interest in them as a farmyard pet. 

Why Do Donkeys Bray?

The main reasons donkeys bray are to communicate with other donkeys, to show affection, and to call for food. Sometimes they may bray when experiencing distress or discomfort too. They have also been known to do it to warn others of danger. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons.

1. To Communicate With Other Donkeys

As donkeys evolved in the plain lands of the desert, their bray was the main way of communicating with each other over small distances. Known for their great hearing, it’s possible the sound could be heard hundreds of yards away.

Many sanctuaries and farm owners report donkeys braying to each other often. It could be considered part of their mating ritual in certain circumstances. Males are known to sometimes get pretty rowdy!

2. To Show Affection

Brays can be a sign of affection, especially for friendly donkeys who get excited when humans come within petting distance. 

Here’s one in Cherokee, North Carolina, coming up to say hello to a fisherman…

Other times, the bray is also similar to a donkey singing. 

3. To Call For Food

According to Jean Patton of the American Donkey and Mule Society [1], it’s pretty common for a donkey to bray in expectation of food. 

If you’re late on feeding them or they get used to passers-by handing them snacks, that could be a clear reason.

It could also be because they don’t like the food they’re getting too. So make sure you don’t feed them anything unusual.

4. To Warn of Danger

Donkeys are known to be very intelligent animals. According to this Reddit user, her donkey, Aggie, used braying as a way to warn her of several incidents down on her farm. 

The first time it was to highlight that a sheep had got its coat frozen to a fence. The second, that a horse had knocked a fence down and was now standing in place stuck and looking for help.

If the braying persists and neither feeding nor petting is helping to stop it, perhaps it’s a sign you should take a look at your other animals and see if all is well.

5. Distress or Discomfort

When a donkey is feeling lonely, territorial, or ill it might also make a braying or yeehaw sound. Usually, in these circumstances, it will be persistent. 

Some owners also report their donkeys braying at the sight or sound of potential predators. That’s why they often put the animal in pens with cattle or sheep. The sound can work as an effective alarm.

Related Questions

Here we take a look at some of the common questions surrounding the subject of a donkey’s bray.

Hee Haw Vs Bray: Are They The Same?

The hee-haw is another term for bray. Both are used to describe the vocalization sounds of a donkey in English. The sound is made at the same time a donkey inhales and exhales. Something zebras or horses can’t do.

Do Donkeys Bray When Happy?

Many owners say their donkey’s bray when they approach or pet them as a sign of happiness or affection [2]. In Chinese culture, the bray is even a symbol of ritualism and friendship. This is something discussed in Jack W. Chen’s essay “On Hearing the Donkey’s Bray”.

Do Female Donkeys Bray?

Female donkeys bray but are generally less vocal than males. This can be observed in everyday donkey behavior just as much as mating time. 

Do Donkey Brays Sound the Same?

No one donkey bray sounds the same. The sound is greatly varied between each animal and owes to both anatomy (a donkey’s oral cavity, lips, tongue, and teeth) and mood. Differences in tone, pitch, duration, and frequency are normal.

My Donkeys Braying Loudly, Is This OK?

Donkeys can bray loud or softly, just because yours is loud doesn’t mean it’s in distress. If it becomes persistent then it’s worth investigating.

Who Do Donkeys Bray At Night?

Donkeys may bray at night for the reasons outlined; to warn of danger, to express hunger or loneliness, etc. Sometimes there may be no apparent reason. But you shouldn’t ignore it entirely!

Try addressing each of the situations described above to see if that helps.

How To Stop Your Donkey Braying

A braying donkey doesn’t always need to be stopped. If you feel the behavior is ongoing however, then it could make sense to do the things they discussed. Try feeding them on time and appropriately, give them company and ensure you provide them a safe environment to live in.

Image Credit: @ansgarscheffold

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