I think I will always remember Pittsburgh as the City of Crazy Sounds.

First, there’s a truly earth-shattering horn that sounds from the fire station near my apartment every time they get a call. If the windows are open, watch out! It’ll startle you right out of bed. It sounds sort of like a barge, and for the longest time, that’s what I thought it was. Even with the windows closed, it’s loud as sin.

Second, there’s a sound that I haven’t yet been able to identify.

I hear it at all hours of the day or night. There doesn’t seem to be a schedule to it, but I notice it most at night (also, we tend to sleep with the windows open, so that’s why I hear it).

It’s sort of like an animal noise, but it also seems like it could be mechanical. It’s a one to two second noise, and only one at a time–never a noise *pause* noise.

It’s a semi-high pitched sound that makes me think it could be a strange bird, a dog-like animal (maybe a fox? Coyote?). But, it’s strange enough that in a way, it sounds like a power tool. I’m so baffled.

If it lasted longer or was more predictable, I’d try to get a recording of it to share with you. But, I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Any ideas on what it might be? I’d really love to know.