In the nursery rhyme “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” the animal that says “moo” is a cow.
The song is an English-language children’s song about a farmer whose animals make their characteristic sounds. Each verse usually introduces one animal and repeats its sound in a pattern such as “with a moo-moo here” and “a moo-moo there.” The cow verse is one of the most widely recognized versions.
The rhyme is known by several titles, including “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “Old MacDonald.” Its melody and wording have appeared in many regional adaptations, so the order of animals can vary. The English version commonly includes cows, pigs, ducks, horses, sheep, and chickens.
“Moo” is the conventional English representation of a cow’s vocalization, although cattle produce several kinds of calls depending on age and situation. Calves, for example, can call differently from adult cattle. The song’s simplified sound is designed for repetition and children’s participation.