The jackal buzzard has a call of a sharp, barking quality, "weeah ka-ka-ka" or "kyaahh-ka-ka-ka". The female jackal buzzard voice is deeper than that of the male. The fact that its call is reminiscent of that of black-backed jackal, is believed to be the source of the species' common name. It has a lower tone than the call of the forest buzzard and is very different from the harsh crowing of the augur buzzard. It is also reminiscent of the call of the American red-tailed hawk.