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. People typically overestimate the number of coyotes they hear.

Why do coyotes sound weird?

It's an auditory illusion known as the "beau geste" effect, and is due to the variety of sounds produced by a male and female coyote and the way sound gets distorted as it passes through the environment. Basically, two coyotes can sound like seven or eight animals.

What do coyotes sound like when attacking?

Agonistic: These are vocalizations used during aggressive interactions and when coyotes display submission. They include woofing, growling, huffing (high-intensity threat), barking, bark-howling, yelping (submission and startle), and high-frequency whining (usually given by a subordinate coyote).