7 Loud Frogs at Night You Might Be Hearing

If you’re hearing loud frogs at night, especially during spring or summer, you’re not alone. These calls, chirps, trills, and croaks are most often made by male frogs during mating season. While the exact species depends on where you live, many of the noisiest culprits are small but vocal tree frogs. Below are some of the most common frogs known for being loud at night, and sometimes even during the day. You’ll find some photos and details on their calls, behavior and where they’re found.

1. Spring Peeper

Range: Eastern and Central U.S., including Tennessee

Spring Peepers are small tree frogs that make a surprisingly loud, high-pitched “peep” sound—hence the name. Despite their tiny size (less than 1.5 inches), their voices can carry across entire neighborhoods. Males are the vocal ones, calling out in large choruses to attract females. The calls usually begin at dusk and continue through the night during early spring and sometimes into summer.

In my backyard in Tennessee, we start to hear Spring Peepers in March once the temperatures begin to warm. Their calls fill the air in the evening and create a peaceful (or overwhelming, depending on your mood) natural soundscape. The calling season can last several weeks, depending on weather and mating activity.

• Scientific name: Pseudacris crucifer
• Size: 0.75 – 1.5 inches
• Color: Tan to gray with a darker X-shaped marking on the back
• Habitat: Moist woodlands, wetlands, and edges of ponds

2. American Bullfrog 

Range: Most of the U.S., especially the East, South, and Midwest

The American Bullfrog is the largest native frog in North America, and it has a call to match. Its deep, booming “jug-o-rum” call is unmistakable and can be heard from far away, especially near lakes, ponds, and marshes. Only males call, and their goal is to establish territory and attract mates.

These frogs begin their chorus in late spring and continue through summer. Bullfrogs are powerful vocalists, and a pond full of them can be deafening. Because of their volume and size, they often dominate the nighttime frog chorus wherever they live.

• Scientific name: Lithobates catesbeianus
• Size: Up to 8 inches
• Color: Green to brown with a pale belly
• Habitat: Permanent bodies of water like lakes and large ponds

3. Eastern Gray Treefrog 

Range: Eastern U.S., from the Midwest to the East Coast

The Eastern Gray Treefrog is another highly vocal tree frog that comes alive at night. Its call is a musical trill, somewhat birdlike, and can be quite loud when many males are calling together. These frogs begin calling in late spring and continue through the summer during humid or rainy nights.

Only males call, using their throat sacs to amplify their voices. Their calls are used to attract females and can last for several seconds at a time. These frogs are also masters of camouflage and are more often heard than seen.

• Scientific name: Dryophytes versicolor
• Size: 1.25 – 2 inches
• Color: Gray to green, often with darker blotches
• Habitat: Woodlands near ponds, often in trees and shrubs

4. Pacific Treefrog 

Range: West Coast – California, Oregon, Washington, and beyond

This small but mighty frog is responsible for one of the most iconic “ribbit” sounds we associate with frogs. Pacific Treefrogs are loud and persistent callers, often forming large choruses in early spring through mid-summer. Their short, repeated calls can dominate the nighttime soundscape in western states.

Males call to attract females and often engage in competitive calling to outdo nearby rivals. Their sound is sharp, repetitive, and can be surprisingly loud for such a small animal.

• Scientific name: Pseudacris regilla
• Size: 1 – 2 inches
• Color: Green or brown with a distinctive black eye stripe
• Habitat: Moist areas near ponds, creeks, and forests

5. Green Frog  

Range: Eastern U.S., especially the Northeast and Midwest

Green Frogs are frequently mistaken for bullfrogs due to their similar appearance and deep calls. Their vocalization is often described as the sound of a plucked banjo string—short, low-pitched, and twangy. Males call primarily at night during late spring and summer.

While not quite as thunderous as bullfrogs, Green Frogs are still loud enough to be heard clearly around their wetland habitats. They’re often part of mixed-species nighttime choruses.

• Scientific name: Lithobates clamitans
• Size: 2.5 – 4 inches
• Color: Olive green to brown with a ridge running down each side
• Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams

6. Northern Cricket Frog 

Range: Central and Eastern U.S.

Though small, Northern Cricket Frogs produce a loud, clicking call that sounds like two small stones being tapped together. Their calls are short, fast-paced, and can go on for quite a while. Males usually call during the day and night, especially during warm, wet periods.

The call can be surprisingly intense when many individuals are calling at once. Because they’re tiny frogs, many people hear them without ever spotting one.

• Scientific name: Acris crepitans
• Size: 0.75 – 1.5 inches
• Color: Brown, gray, or green with a central stripe or triangle on the back
• Habitat: Edges of ponds, ditches, and slow streams

7. Southern Leopard Frog 

Range: Southeastern U.S.

The Southern Leopard Frog has a strange, chuckling call that’s sometimes described as a squeaky balloon or a rapid laugh. Males begin calling in early spring and continue throughout the warm season, particularly after rainstorms.

These frogs tend to call from shallow water or even temporary puddles. They’re usually part of diverse frog choruses that include other species but stand out thanks to their unique sound.

• Scientific name: Lithobates sphenocephalus
• Size: 2 – 3.5 inches
• Color: Green or brown with dark spots and a light ridge down each side
• Habitat: Swamps, ponds, ditches, and temporary pools

Frequently Asked Questions About Loud Frogs at Night

Why are frogs so loud at night?

Frogs are most vocal at night during breeding season. Male frogs call in an attempt to communicate with and attract females and establish territory. Darkness provides cover from predators, making nighttime the safest time to sing.

Which frogs are the loudest?

The American Bullfrog is one of the loudest, thanks to its size and deep call. However, tree frogs like the Spring Peeper and Pacific Treefrog are also incredibly loud for their size and can be overwhelming in large groups.

How long does frog calling season last?

It varies by species and region but generally spans from early spring through summer. In warmer climates, some frogs may call into fall, especially after rain.

Can loud frogs be harmful?

Frog calls are not harmful, though they can be a nuisance if they’re close to your home. They are a sign of a healthy ecosystem and usually subside after mating season ends.

Where are the loud frogs at night coming from?

Most loud frog calls come from wet or damp environments like ponds, creeks, ditches, wetlands, or even temporary puddles. Frogs gather near water during breeding season because they lay their eggs in or near water. Even a small backyard pond or flooded ditch can become a hotspot for frog activity at night.

So if you’re hearing them around your house but don’t have a visible pond or water source, there’s a good chance one is nearby. A single Spring Peeper’s call can travel over half a mile and has been measured at around 90 decibels—about as loud as a lawn mower. With multiple frogs calling at once, their chorus can be really loud and sound much closer than it actually is.