What's out there?! Scary noises curious & nervous

[Yorkclan]

OK this is more curiosity because before when I've posted on the predator site it was because of the loss. So I'm glad this isn't on such a gram note but this morning on the opposite side of the property from the chicken coop I heard the most frightening noise. Very much sounded like a young girl getting killed. But I could tell shortly after obviously an animal. I've always lived in the rural areas and used to having to worry about coyotes foxes raccoons in the occasional bobcat. I've heard the coyotes howl at my old property before but this was a sound unlike no other. But I have moved to a 17 1/2 acre property surrounded by conservation area.
So just curious and the coop is prepared for predators but what screams such a spine wrenching scream at 4 AM ?!

 

[Yorkclan]

It could be a peacock they can sound like a

It could have been a peacock. They make a sound like a girl or child screeching or being killed . Where I grew up they were wild and at night up into the early morning they would call out and it would send chills down your spine.

Fisher cats

 

[Jeddice]

Mating cats can scream out too making horrible screaming sounds.

When I was young (more than 50yrs ago) I heard a terrible sound, thought it was a child screaming, we lived on a lake with lots of young families. I went running out looking for it 5:00am. It’s was cats, fighting or in heat. I was not happy to be woke up!

 

[sarahconnor]

Apparently rabbits scream when they are being attacked? Don't trust me on that, though.

Yes they scream. It’s horrible.

 

[Kimflores]

Sounds like rabbits (or one getting killed) to me.

 

[HenneryTheEighth]

Perhaps a fisher? They sound horrible.

 

[earthenlearner]

When I moved onto my property 25 years ago there was a flock of naturalized peacocks free ranging the adjoining creek bed For several years. Oh my heavenly stars and garters the noises they would make!!!!

 

[lightspeed]

I am a wildlife rehabber and placing bets it was a bobcat....

 

[shineandrise]

I live on a farm in VA and foxes here are common. A fox might have done it.

 

[Chickenclaude]

A fischer cat screams like a woman being slaughtered...it is totally frightening...they are quite aggressive hunters. So stay inside and safe. You can actually listen to the sound, google it.