caterwaul (KAT-er-wawl)

Definition

(Verb) 1. to make a harsh cry

2. to protest or complain noisily

In Context

Between begging calls, the young birds made more practice launches, flapping their wings and jumping. Paired adults were re-forming their relationships; returning birds went in for bouts of head flicking and kissing. Neighbors were in dispute, caterwauling above the din.”

Tim Dee, The New York Review of Books, 11 Sept. 2018