Birds making noise late at night is a common phenomenon that many people have experienced. The sounds of birds chirping, squawking, and calling out well after sunset can be perplexing and frustrating, especially when trying to sleep. But why exactly do birds vocalize after dark? There are several reasons why birds are active and noisy at night.
Defending Territory
One major reason birds squawk and chirp after sundown is to defend their territory from intruders. Many bird species are very territorial and will aggressively defend areas where they nest and roost overnight. Making noise is a way for birds to signal occupation of an area and ward off trespassing by other birds. Species like robins, mockingbirds, and blackbirds are especially known for their noisy territorial behavior at night. The sounds serve to proclaim that a certain space is already occupied.
Attracting Mates
In addition to proclaiming territory, nocturnal bird noises can also be part of courtship rituals for attracting mates. Some species use their bird calls to locate potential partners and signal their readiness to breed. Nighttime singing by male birds is often used to attract females for pairing up and nesting. The males that produce the loudest, most impressive sounding vocal displays at night are often more successful at finding mates. Some well-known examples of birds that sing at night to court mates include nightingales, owls, and nightjars.
Navigation
Birds also rely on auditory signals to help navigate and communicate at night when vision is limited. Calling out helps maintain contact with others in their flock and community. Social bird species often make noise together in the evening before roosting to figure out positioning in trees and on branches while flying and landing. Calling out helps signal location, direction, and distance. Being loud also allows disoriented migrating birds to get their bearings when traveling at night through unfamiliar areas.
Predator Deterrence
Noisy birds can also be signaling to predators that they are aware of the predator’s presence. Being loud alerts other birds to potential danger. Predators like owls rely on stealth and surprise when hunting, so noisy prey birds make hunting more challenging. Loud alarmed calling lets predators know they have been detected and can even drive predators away from nesting and foraging areas. This mobbing behavior in response to predators is common among species like crows, jays, and small songbirds.
Normal Chatter
Finally, some nocturnal bird noise is simply normal chatter and communication. Birds maintain contact with flock members overnight by making contact calls, especially when it is dark. Staying in acoustic communication maintains group cohesion, signals location, and provides a sense of safety in numbers. Being noisy together overnight helps many social species remain close together and synchronize behavior at dawn. Simply staying in touch vocally can account for a lot of the chatter, peeps, and sounds birds make at night.
Common Nocturnal Bird Species
While most birds are diurnal (active in the daytime), there are some species well-known for being active and noisy after dark. Here are some of the most common culprits when it comes to nocturnal bird sounds:
Northern Mockingbird
Mockingbirds sing both day and night, but in some areas the bulk of vocalizations happen after dark. These noisy mimics will sing, repeat calls, and make alarm sounds throughout the night. Mockingbird nighttime singing can last for hours, starting up to two hours after sunset.
European Robin
Though they seem quiet and docile by day, European robins become very vocal at night. They sing beautifully complex melodies in the dark overnight hours. This is mainly done by males establishing territories and attracting mates.
Common Nighthawk
As their name suggests, these birds are most active from dusk to dawn. Their loud nasal peent calls ring out as they forage for insects at night. The peenting increases as nighthawks get ready to migrate in the fall.
Common Loon
Loons produce haunting wails, hoots, yodels and other cries that can be heard across lakes at night. Their vocal displays are used to signal territories and attract mates in the breeding season.
Eastern Screech Owl
Screech owls make haunting whinnying, trilling and bouncing ball calls at night. This vociferous nocturnal calling announces territories and attracts mates while also confusing prey.
Killdeer
These shorebirds are known for their loud nocturnal kill-dee kill-dee calls. The calls are most frequent during the nesting season. Killdeer also makealarm calls and wing-feigning distraction displays at night to protect eggs and young.
Mourning Dove
Mourning doves may be known for their sleepy coos by day, but they actually become more active at dawn and dusk. Their loud roosting coos can persist well after sunset.
Why Do Birds Call at Dawn?
Shortly before sunrise, birds vocalize in a dawn chorus of whistles, chirps and songs. There are several reasons for this surge in sound:
Defending Territories
As light breaks, birds call out to proclaim territories already occupied before rivals arrive. Robins, wrens, and sparrows all get an early start staking claims.
Signaling to Mates
Male birds also use the pre-dawn time to attract mates with loud and elaborate song displays. Early risers demonstrate their fitness.
Synchronizing for Foraging
Increased chorusing helps synchronize flock activity. Birds gear up for busy foraging schedules at sunrise.
Avoiding Predators
Being loud first thing in the morning also allows birds to detect predators already present before leaving the roost. The earlier the warning, the better.
How Do Nocturnal Birds Adapt?
To be active at night, birds have evolved physical and behavioral adaptations for life in the dark:
Excellent Low Light Vision
Nocturnal birds have larger eyes to maximize light intake and retina adaptations to enhance vision at night. Some species like owls have huge eyes relative to their head size.
Acute Auditory Skills
Birds that are active in darkness also develop extremely sharp hearing. This allows them to communicate, hunt and navigate via sound rather than sight.
Silent Flight
Owls and other nocturnal raptors have specialized feathers that muffle sound during flight. This stealth helps them hunt more successfully at night.
Dark Colored Plumage
Camouflage is important, so most nocturnal species have dark browns, grays and black in their plumage. This helps birds blend into the darkness.
Rotating Heads and Necks
Owls and other night birds have a highly flexible neck and can rotate their head 270 degrees. This gives them better peripheral vision at night when unable to see behind.
Tips for Blocking Out Nocturnal Bird Noise
For those having trouble sleeping due to noisy birds overnight, here are some tips:
Use Earplugs or White Noise
Blocking out the sound can provide relief. Try disposable foam earplugs or devices that generate soothing white noise.
Close Windows/Use Insulation
Keep windows shut at night during peak calling seasons. Also insulate walls to muffle exterior bird calls.
Get Light Blocking Shades
Dark shades send birds the signal that it’s nighttime and time to settle down. Close them completely at dusk.
Remove Food Sources
Eliminate outdoor food and water sources that could be attracting birds. Clean up spilled seed, secure trash bins, and remove bird feeders overnight.
Install Predator Effigies
Silhouette predator effigies like hawk shapes can scare territorial songbirds away from the immediate area.
Use Ultrasonic Bird Deterrents
Devices producing high-frequency ultrasonic noise unpleasant to birds may drive them away from nesting and roosting nearby.
Plant Dense Vegetation as a Buffer
Trees, bushes, and shrubs can muffle bird commotion. Strategic landscaping can help deaden noise.
When to Seek Help
In most cases, simply waiting out the season or taking noise blocking steps does the trick. But if nightly disturbances continue to the point of sleeplessness and distress, it may be wise to consult an avian expert or environmental professional. They can assess your property’s attractiveness to problematic bird species and identify customized solutions. An ornithologist can also advise on specific seasonal triggers, help identify culprit species, and provide insight on nesting/roosting habits. With professional help, the right deterrents and habitat modifications can win back the night.
Conclusion
Birds vocalizing overnight serves important purposes in communication, courtship, protection and navigation after sunset. Territorial defense and mate attraction account for much of the racket. Nocturnal species have evolved excellent night-time sensory capabilities. While closing windows, using earplugs or running white noise machines can provide relief, it also helps to appreciate the important biological drivers behind this phenomenon of the natural world. With some minor adjustments, both birds and humans can achieve a better night’s sleep.
Common Nocturnal Bird Species | Types of Nighttime Calls |
---|---|
Northern Mockingbird | Singing, alarm calls, mimicry |
European Robin | Melodic singing |
Common Nighthawk | Nasal peenting |
Common Loon | Wailing, yodeling |
Eastern Screech Owl | Whinnying, trilling |
Killdeer | Loud kill-dee calls |
Mourning Dove | Cooing |