Donkey Facts In the wild, male donkeys bray as a territorial display and for communication to distant females. In domestication, both male and female donkeys bray for various reasons. Braying can be from excitement, anticipation, loneliness, territorial response, boredom and healthy communication between donkeys. The bray is one of six vocal sounds a donkey makes. Each donkey’s bray is unique and can be heard over long distances. When a donkey learns braying is effective at getting human attenti