Many people assume that when the sun goes down, all the birds go to sleep. However, this is far from the truth. While most birds do sleep at night, there are quite a few species that are active after dark. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common birds that you might encounter during the midnight hour.
Owls
Owls are certainly the most iconic nocturnal birds. There are around 250 species of owls worldwide, and the majority of them are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Owls have several physical and behavioral adaptations that allow them to hunt and function in the darkness.
One key adaptation is their specially designed feathers. The edges of owl feathers are soft and flexible, allowing the birds to fly very quietly. This stealth helps them sneak up on their prey undetected. Owls also have excellent low-light vision. Their large eyes contain many rod cells but few cone cells, making their eyes extremely sensitive to light. Finally, owls can swivel their heads 270 degrees. This gives them a wide range of vision so they can scan for prey without moving their whole body.
Some owl species that are active at midnight include:
- Great Horned Owl
- Barred Owl
- Barn Owl
- Eastern Screech Owl
- Great Gray Owl
Nightjars
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds related to swifts and hummingbirds. Most species live in Africa, Europe, or Asia. There are around 100 known species of nightjars.
Nightjars get their name from their loud, jarring calls that they make at night. They have huge mouths filled with bristles that help them scoop up insects on the wing. Their feathers are cryptically colored and patterned to help them blend into trees and scrub where they roost during the day.
Some nightjars active at midnight include:
- Common Nighthawk
- Chuck-will’s-widow
- Common Poorwill
- Eurasian Nightjar
Seabirds
Many seabird species are nocturnal or crepuscular as well. These birds nest on remote islands and rocky cliffs and use the cover of darkness to avoid predators. Their nocturnal habits also allow them to better locate schools of fish and squid near the water’s surface at night.
Some nocturnal seabirds include:
- Shearwaters
- Petrels
- Prions
These tubenosed seabirds come ashore only to breed. At night, they fan out across the oceans to forage.
Wading birds
Wading birds like herons and egrets use the darkness to their advantage as well. These long-legged hunters stalk the shallows under cover of night to surprise sleeping fish, frogs, and other prey. Their slender bills are perfect for spearing unsuspecting prey.
Some nocturnal wading birds include:
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron
- Boat-billed Heron
These species forage actively at night but roost during the day.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds like sandpipers generally forage during the day. But some species have adapted their feeding behaviors to take advantage of niche food resources at night.
The western sandpiper is one shorebird known to switch to nocturnal feeding during migration. At certain stopover sites, they forage intensively at night on biofilm and algae. This high-energy food source allows them to quickly rebuild their fat reserves as they travel between breeding and wintering grounds.
Other bird groups
While less common, some passerines (perching birds) and other bird groups contain species that are active at midnight as well. For example:
- Common Pauraque – A nightjar-like nocturnal bird that nests on the ground in scrub habitat.
- Northern Mockingbird – Known to sing at night during breeding season to establish territory.
- European Robin – Sings beautifully during the nighttime hours.
- Cassin’s Auklet – A small nocturnal seabird that forages out at sea.
What birds are awake during a full moon?
When the moon is full and bright, its light allows for extra visibility in what would otherwise be pitch-black conditions. So during a full moon, diurnal (daytime-active) birds like songbirds and raptors may remain active later into the night than normal. Nocturnal species, however, don’t tend to change their activity patterns much between moon phases. Their sensitive night vision remains keen with or without moonlight.
Do bird sleep patterns change by season?
Yes, bird activity and sleep patterns can shift somewhat between seasons:
- Spring: Earlier activity in preparation for breeding season. More singing at dawn by territorial males.
- Summer: Nesting birds keep active hunting for food for their chicks. Dawn singing continues.
- Fall: Later activity and longer resting periods to fuel up for migration.
- Winter: Reduced activity and longer rest periods to conserve energy in the cold. But irruptive species like owls may be more active hunting scarce prey.
Of course, for nocturnal species the main day/night rhythms stay consistent. But even nighttime activity levels may fluctuate some based on seasonal needs.
Why are some birds nocturnal?
Birds evolved nocturnal behavior for several key reasons:
- Avoiding predators – Daytime predators like hawks and falcons can’t hunt what they can’t see at night.
- Avoiding competition – Nighttime foraging reduces competition for food resources.
- Taking advantage of abundant prey – Many night insects and small mammals are active then.
- Micro-habitat conditions – Cooler night temperatures help owls and other birds function in hot climates.
Switching to nocturnality opened up new ecological niches and allowed multiple bird groups to diversify and thrive.
Conclusion
While most birds sleep at night, dozens of species have adapted to take advantage of the darkness. Owls, nightjars, seabirds, waders, and some shorebirds operate under the cover of night to avoid predators, reduce competition, and take advantage of abundant nocturnal food sources. Their specialized plumage, enlarged eyes, stealth flight, and keen night vision allow these intriguing birds to thrive around the midnight hour.
