is that "Hee-lah" or "High-lah"

'Tis the latter. If it were "Hee-lah" I would spell it "Gila."

I'm named after a pet that my son has: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/amphibians/canyontreefrog.htm

Note, this page describes this particular hyla as "plump and toad-like in appearance" with a voice that is a "loud, single pitched, rivet gun sounding "brrurt- brrurt- brrurt" that at close range sounds as if emanating from a tin can." Suits me to a tee.

I can vouch for that voice - the ones at our house really make a racket at times. And, amazingly, they call in response to the crying of my 11-month old son. They must know a tadpole when they hear one.