For many, birdsong is synonymous with the dawn chorus, a delightful symphony that heralds the start of a new day. However, the enchanting melodies of birds are not always confined to daylight hours. Have you ever been serenaded by birds chirping at night? This phenomenon, while perhaps less common, is far from unusual and raises the intriguing question: why are birds vocalizing after dark?
Several fascinating reasons explain why some bird species engage in nighttime chirping. Some birds, like the aptly named Eastern Whip-poor-will, are naturally nocturnal. Their active period is during the night, and their vocalizations are simply their way of communicating when they are awake and alert. For other species, such as the Northern Mockingbird, nighttime singing is more about opportunity. While primarily diurnal, these birds may extend their songs into the night, particularly during mating season, to attract partners. The nighttime environment offers distinct advantages for avian vocal communication. The quiet of the night minimizes ambient noise, allowing birdsong to travel further and clearer. Furthermore, there’s significantly less competition from other birds vocally, making it easier to stand out and be heard in the still of the night.
While pinpointing every bird that sings at night is a vast undertaking, we’ve curated a playlist of some of the most captivating nocturnal bird songs found in North America. These examples range from well-known night singers to some lesser-heard nocturnal melodies, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of birds chirping in the dark. Prepare to be enchanted by the nighttime serenade of these avian vocalists.
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Eastern Whip-poor-will. Photo by Frode Jacobsen
Technically, the Eastern Whip-poor-will isn’t classified as a songbird, but its iconic call, which poetically echoes its name, has captivated listeners for generations. Breeding males persistently repeat their distinctive “whip-poor-will” song deep into spring and early summer nights, particularly within their remaining eastern U.S. habitat. These birds are the epitome of birds chirping at night as their primary activity is nocturnal.
Masters of camouflage, Eastern Whip-poor-wills are far more frequently heard than seen. However, even their presence in sound is becoming less common. Although still considered relatively common in densely wooded areas, Eastern Whip-poor-will populations have suffered a dramatic decline of 75 percent in the last half-century. This alarming trend has led to the species being included on the State of North America’s Birds Watch List. The reasons for this decline are multifaceted. Collisions with vehicles and a reduction in insect populations likely contribute, but habitat loss due to the expansion of agriculture and development is believed to be the primary driver.
Organizations like ABC and their partners are actively working to address the decline of aerial insectivores, including the Whip-poor-will. Their Migratory Bird Program is dedicated to understanding and mitigating the factors contributing to the decline of Whip-poor-wills and numerous other bird species throughout their entire life cycle. Hearing an Eastern Whip-poor-will chirping at night is becoming a rarer privilege, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
Eastern Whip-poor-will (Doug Welch, XC469348. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/469348.)
Yellow-breasted Chat
The Yellow-breasted Chat in vibrant plumage, perched amongst foliage.
The Yellow-breasted Chat’s vocalizations are best described as an eclectic and fascinating mix of cackles, clucks, whistles, and hoots. While not strictly nocturnal, these birds are known to sing at night, particularly during their spring breeding season. Their nighttime vocalizations are part of their complex repertoire and contribute to the chorus of birds chirping at night. Birdwatchers sometimes humorously compare the often-hidden chat’s diverse sounds to a form of mocking laughter, reflecting the unusual and varied nature of their song.
Similar to many other bird species, Yellow-breasted Chats face significant threats from habitat loss. Over the past 50 years, their population has decreased by 37 percent. Consequently, the species is now classified as threatened, endangered, or of special concern in several states. The decline in Yellow-breasted Chat populations underscores the broader issues affecting birds chirping at night and during the day.
Yellow-breasted Chats benefit from proactive habitat management initiatives undertaken by ABC and partner organizations, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. These efforts focus on creating and maintaining semi-open habitats crucial for the chat and other species. Furthermore, several habitat management projects aimed at assisting the rapidly declining Golden-winged Warblers also provide positive outcomes for Yellow-breasted Chats, demonstrating the interconnectedness of conservation efforts.
Yellow-breasted Chat (Paul Marvin, XC486580. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/486580.)
Barred Owl
Barred Owl. Photo by Dennis Donohue/Shutterstock
A Barred Owl perched on a tree branch in a forest setting.
The Barred Owl’s unmistakable “who-cooks-for-you” call is arguably one of the most recognizable nighttime bird sounds in North America. These hoots, however, represent only a fraction of this large raptor’s diverse vocal range. During the mating season, Barred Owls engage in boisterous duets, blending a symphony of gurgles, caws, hoots, and cackles. These owls are prominent contributors to the soundscape of birds chirping at night, especially in wooded areas.
In contrast to their vocal mating displays, Barred Owls rely on silence when hunting. Their specialized feather structure, featuring tiny serrations on their flight feathers, enables them to fly with virtually no sound. This silent flight, combined with exceptional night vision, makes Barred Owls highly effective nocturnal predators. Their hunting prowess is a key reason they are often active and vocal, making them part of the birds chirping at night phenomenon.
Historically confined to mature forests in eastern North America, Barred Owls have expanded their range significantly and now inhabit substantial portions of the Pacific Northwest. Along with their range expansion, Barred Owl populations have also increased, growing at an estimated rate of 1.5 percent annually over the last 50 years. Their adaptability and success demonstrate the complex dynamics within bird populations and their environments.
Barred Owl (Lance A. M. Benner, XC500514. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/500514.)
Common Loon
Two Common Loons swimming gracefully on a calm lake surface.
Few bird sounds evoke such a sense of melancholy and memorability as the Common Loon’s haunting yodel. However, this iconic call is not the only vocalization in this large bird’s repertoire. As darkness descends, Common Loons frequently produce cackling tremolos and wolf-like wails that are equally evocative and contribute to the chorus of birds chirping at night, albeit with a more somber tone.
Common Loon populations in the northern U.S. have suffered significant declines due to pollution from coal-fired power plants. Like Bald Eagles and Ospreys, Common Loons are fish-eating birds, placing them at the top of the aquatic food chain and making them vulnerable to the accumulation of toxins like mercury. The impact of pollution on Common Loons highlights the far-reaching consequences of environmental contamination.
Migrating loons also face risks from collisions, particularly with wind turbines located on lakes or other large bodies of water. In a proactive conservation effort, ABC and partner organizations filed a federal lawsuit in December 2019 against the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This legal action aimed to halt the construction of wind turbines on Lake Erie that could pose a significant threat to Common Loons and numerous other migrating bird species. Protecting these birds chirping at night and day requires addressing a range of environmental threats.
Common Loon (Jelmer Poelstra, XC83547. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/83547.)
Eastern Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl. Photo by Imran Ashraf/Shutterstock
An Eastern Screech-Owl with striking yellow eyes, perched in a tree hollow.
Similar to the Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owls produce an impressive variety of nighttime sounds. When defending their territory, males utilize a whinnying call to deter potential intruders. For communication between pairs and families, they employ a cooing tremolo call. Unlike some birds chirping at night that repeat a limited set of sounds, Eastern Screech-Owls are versatile vocalists. Their repertoire includes hoots, barks, and, of course, their characteristic screech, contributing to the diversity of nighttime bird sounds.
Although the Eastern Screech-Owl is still considered a common species overall, their populations are declining in certain areas. These owls are frequently victims of collisions with windows and vehicles. Those residing in suburban and orchard environments are also susceptible to pesticide exposure. As with many other bird species, habitat loss remains a significant threat in numerous regions, impacting even these adaptable owls.
ABC’s Bird-Smart Glass program offers practical solutions to mitigate window collisions and protect Eastern Screech-Owls. Their Bird-Friendly Life web page provides further guidance on how to protect birds and their habitats. For those with wooded yards, building a screech-owl nest box can provide crucial nesting habitat and support local populations of these birds chirping at night and day.
Eastern Screech-Owl (Will Sweet, XC453924. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/453924.)
Upland Sandpiper
An Upland Sandpiper standing in a grassy field, blending with its surroundings.
The Upland Sandpiper’s exuberant song fills the prairie air during the spring breeding season. This melody, a captivating blend of wild trilling and an ethereal whistle, is primarily sung by males and often extends well into the night. Despite their nighttime vocal activity, Upland Sandpipers are not nocturnal birds and are commonly observed during daylight hours as well. They are another example of birds chirping at night, showcasing the diverse reasons for this behavior.
While Upland Sandpiper populations have remained relatively stable overall in the last 50 years, regional declines have prompted nearly two dozen states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada to list the bird as a species of concern. Upland Sandpipers undertake annual migrations to South America for the winter, and hunting pressure remains a concern along their migration routes. However, the most significant threat they encounter is habitat loss, as native grasslands are converted into agricultural land. The conversion of grasslands directly impacts these grassland birds chirping at night and day.
In the United States, ABC is actively involved in supporting Upland Sandpipers and other grassland birds by promoting practices that incentivize sustainable grazing and grassland preservation. They also work to restore previously cultivated lands and reduce herbicide use, crucial steps for grassland bird conservation. In Mexico, ABC collaborates with local partners to ensure the continued protection of critical grassland habitat for migrating sandpipers, highlighting the international scope of conservation efforts needed to protect these birds.
Upland Sandpiper (Paul Marvin, XC299641. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/299641.)
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird. Photo by Michael Stubblefield
A Northern Mockingbird perched on a branch, showcasing its sleek grey plumage.
Renowned for their exceptional ability to learn and mimic nearly 200 different songs, Northern Mockingbirds are true avian virtuosos. These skilled mimics draw inspiration from the songs of other birds and often perform their musical medleys around the clock. This continuous singing is most prevalent when males are actively seeking mates, but even the light of a full moon can inspire these talented crooners to extend their performances into the night. They are perhaps the most well-known example of birds chirping at night due to their frequent and varied nocturnal songs.
Although Northern Mockingbirds remain common in many parts of the U.S., their populations have experienced a decline of over 20 percent in the last 50 years. This isn’t their first population downturn. During the 19th century, these songbirds were so highly prized for their musical talents that many were captured and caged, leading to their virtual disappearance from certain areas within their range. This historical context underscores the various threats that have impacted Northern Mockingbird populations over time.
ABC and their partners are committed to supporting healthy Northern Mockingbird populations by managing habitat throughout much of the bird’s U.S. range. Their Cats Indoors program also plays a crucial role in reducing cat-related fatalities, which tragically claim the lives of an estimated 2.4 billion birds annually in the U.S., including Northern Mockingbirds. Protecting these birds chirping at night and day requires addressing a range of threats, from habitat loss to predation.
Northern Mockingbird (Omar Suárez García, XC435872. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/435872.)
