Many species of birds become more active at dusk and into the nighttime hours. After a long day of hunting, foraging and avoiding predators, birds will emerge in the evening to feed, socialize, migrate, and roost for the night. The low light conditions provide additional protection from predators and an opportunity to take advantage of food sources that are not available during the day. In this article, we will explore some of the common bird species that are most active in the evening and why their behaviors and routines change once the sun goes down.
Birds of Prey
Many birds of prey become active at dusk as their small mammal and insect prey also become active. Their exceptional eyesight and hearing allow them to effectively hunt even in low light conditions.
Owls
Owls are well-known nighttime hunters. Most owls sleep during the day and become active from dusk to dawn. Their light-sensitive eyes and specialized feathers allow for nearly silent flight, making them effective nocturnal predators. Some of the owl species you may spot in the evening include:
– Barn Owls – Common owls with heart-shaped faces found near open fields and grasslands.
– Great Horned Owls – Large and powerful owls that perch high in trees at night watching for prey.
– Eastern Screech Owls – Small owls that can be heard making their memorable screeching calls after sunset.
– Barred Owls – Medium-sized owls native to forests of North America known for their “who cooks for you” call.
Hawks & Falcons
Though less common than owls, some hawk and falcon species also hunt at night:
– Common Nighthawks – As the name suggests, these birds feed exclusively at night on flying insects. They are most noticeable for their loud “peent” calls as they glide through the night sky.
– Peregrine Falcons – One of the world’s fastest birds, peregrines occasionally hunt at dusk when their favored bird prey, such as shorebirds and ducks, are flying back to roost.
Insect-Eating Birds
Many insect-eating birds take advantage of the swarms of insects that emerge at dusk. Their adaptations allow them to capitalize on this bounty.
Nighthawks
As mentioned above under hawks and falcons, Common Nighthawks are aerial insectivores that can be seen swooping through the skies at dusk and night. They feed exclusively on flying insects and the long wingtip feathers help them make quick turns and grabs.
Swallows & Swift
Species of swallows and swifts are masters at catching insects on the wing. In the evenings, large numbers can be seen gracefully arcing through swarms of bugs over fields, lakes, and towns. Examples include:
– Chimney Swifts – Small cigars-shaped birds that roost communally in old chimneys.
– Purple Martins – Largest species of swallow in North America and congregate in large flocks in the evening.
– Common Nighthawk – A type of nightjar with long, pointed wings and a loud peenting call.
Whip-poor-wills & Nightjars
Whip-poor-wills, and related nightjars, are nocturnal insect-eaters that sit patiently on the ground waiting for an insect to fly or crawl by. Whip-poor-wills get their name from their repetitive nighttime call. Their huge mouths allow them to scoop up bugs while in flight.
Seed-Eating Birds
Some seed-eaters adjust their foraging schedules to take advantage of the extra protection dusk provides. This includes species of sparrows, blackbirds, finches and buntings.
Blackbirds
Red-winged blackbirds and European starlings form large evening flocks containing thousands of birds. The noisy groups fly in dense clouds as they commute between feeding and roosting locations. These giant flocks provide safety through numbers from raptors like peregrine falcons.
Sparrows
Some sparrow species, including Song Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows, can continue foraging on the ground at dusk when predation risk is lowered. Their muted brown plumage provides camouflage in the twilight conditions.
Finches & Buntings
Certain finches like the House Finch feed in large evening flocks and commute to nighttime roosts. Similarly, buntings including the Painted Bunting gather noisily at dusk before settling into dense bushes to roost.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds occupy an extremely dangerous niche during the daytime as they forage exposed on mudflats. Many species minimize risk by feeding primarily at dawn and dusk when visibility is lower.
Plovers
Plovers, like the Killdeer and Black-bellied Plover, employ a fascinating trick for safer foraging after dark. Their eyes contain a reflective tissue layer, causing their eyes to shine brightly at night when illuminated. This “eyeshine” helps them keep track of each other in the darkness.
Sandpipers
Many sandpipers feed actively at dawn and dusk, and roost during the day. Dunlins and Least Sandpipers can be seen in large flocks hunting marine invertebrates along the shoreline in low light. Their frenetic feeding gives them energy to continue migrating at night.
Wilson’s Snipe
One shorebird, the Wilson’s Snipe, performs an elaborate mating display flight entirely at dusk. When performing courtship flights, the birds make a distinctive winnowing noise with their tail feathers while circling high over marshes.
Other Birds
Beyond the major groups already described, some additional interesting birds can be spotted out and about in the evening.
Waxwings
Both Cedar Waxwings and Bohemian Waxwings gather by the hundreds in berry trees well after sunset. Their strategy is to allow time to consume as much fruit as possible before going to roost.
Rails
Many secretive marsh birds like Virginia Rails and Sora can be heard more frequently calling after dark. This is often the best chance to detect these reclusive species.
Woodcocks
The American Woodcock performs one of the most fascinating dusk displays during their spring courtship. At twilight, males fly high spirals and dive back to earth while making twittering and buzzing sounds with their wings and calls.
Why Do Birds Come Out at Night?
There are several key reasons why birds become active at dusk instead of during daylight hours:
Lower Predation Risk
Most birds are safer under the cover of darkness. Their vision is adapted for low light, while predators like hawks lose much of their hunting advantage at night.
Insect Activity
Many insects are nocturnal, so insect-eating birds can take advantage of greater numbers of food items at dusk and night.
Safer Migration
Birds migrating over long distances use darkness to navigate safer and with fewer landmarks. This includes species of shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds.
Social Functions
In some species like blackbirds and cowbirds, evening is an important time for flocking behavior, information exchange, and communal roosting.
Courtship
Performing courtship displays at dusk allows crepuscular and nocturnal birds to communicate visually and acoustically in the low light. Several owls, nighthawks, and snipe employ this tactic.
Conclusion
As discussed in this article, a wide array of bird species across multiple families take advantage of the dusk time period. Their unique adaptations allow successful foraging, migration, courtship and survival under the veil of darkness. Paying attention to evening behaviors and calls is key to observing crepuscular and nocturnal species that are hidden during daylight hours. So next time you are outside at sunset, look and listen closely to discover the fascinating world of birds at night.
