Coyotes howl and yip primarily to communicate with each other and establish territory. They may bark when they are defending a den or a kill.

Do coyotes bark at night?

With foliage dropping as nature prepares herself for her winter nap, it's not uncommon to see -- and hear -- coyotes more often. At night, you can listen for group yip-howls of coyotes: short howls that often rise and fall in pitch, punctuated with staccato yips, yaps, and barks.

Do coyotes ever bark?

They do! Their scientific name, Canis latrans, means “barking dog” because coyotes have at least 11 different vocalizations! ... Typically, coyotes have a higher pitched voice and their howls are usually interspersed (or broken up) with a combination of yips, yaps, and barks!