Why Do Birds Sing At Night? - Bird Spot

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During December and January, it’s not uncommon to be woken in the middle of the night by the sound of birds singing. While this might seem unusual, nocturnal bird song is relatively common in cities and urban areas, and there are two main theories to explain this behaviour.

Light pollution

For many years, it was thought that light pollution from streetlights and office buildings was the primary reason for birds singing late into the night and early morning. Light plays a crucial role in regulating the daily and seasonal activities of birds and other organisms. Changes to natural light cycles can disrupt their circadian rhythms or “body clocks”.

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Just as humans may struggle to sleep after staring at screens late into the evening, artificial light can interfere with birds’ natural patterns. Birds use songs to attract mates, defend territories, and warn of dangers, and their singing is typically triggered by the first light of dawn or the fading light at sunset. However, when artificial light creates a 24-hour glow, their internal clocks can become confused, causing them to sing outside normal daylight hours.

Although this theory explains nocturnal bird song in areas with significant light pollution, it doesn’t fully address why birds sometimes sing at night during winter in complete darkness.

Noise pollution

Another explanation suggests that the high levels of daytime noise in urban areas drown out birds’ calls, forcing them to sing at night when it is quieter. This behaviour reflects how adaptable birds can be.

In addition to singing at night, birds in cities are altering their songs to be heard over ambient noise. Urban bird songs are becoming faster and louder, with longer pauses between phrases, and birds are omitting lower-pitched notes that are harder to hear amidst city sounds.

For example, blackbirds have been observed changing their vocalisations to cut through urban noise, and studies of great tits have shown they sing at a significantly higher pitch in cities compared to rural areas. Birds may also sing at night if woken by sudden loud noises like thunder or fireworks. Similarly, true nocturnal bird songs, such as those of nightingales, can trigger diurnal birds to start singing at night.

Which birds sing at night?

While nightingales are the arguably the most famous nocturnal singers, along with Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird”, the most common bird singing at night in UK towns and gardens is actually the robin. Robins sing year-round and are often mistaken for nightingales during winter.

Robins are among the first to start singing in the morning and the last to stop at night. As insectivores, they are accustomed to foraging in low light, so streetlights can easily prompt them to break into song. Other birds commonly heard singing at night in winter include blackbirds, dunnocks, and song thrushes.

In summer, true nocturnal birds like nightjars and corncrakes can be heard, as well as diurnal species like sedge and reed warblers that sometimes sing during the night.

4 birds you might hear singing at night

Blackbird

Nightingale

Robin

Song thrush

Whether prompted by artificial light, reduced daytime noise, or their natural adaptability, the nocturnal songs of these birds continue to enchant us, even in the darkest months of the year.

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16 Responses

I hear a blackbird singing every morning just after 3am (this morning it was 3.06 when they started). The thrush joined in around 4.30 / 5am (I thought it was a blue tit song but after listening to your recordings I believe those high-pitched sounds were part of the song-thrush’s repertoire). The foxes might be waking them up. We live in a suburb but it’s very quiet with lots of trees. I have loads of feeders and water for drinking & bathing in the garden, and bells on the hedges to stop cats sneaking up on the birds. I feed every bird from the robin and wren to the pigeons, crows and gulls (the crows make great bodyguards / alarms for the little birds when a cat is trying to sneak up on them). They all seem to be thriving (healthy looking, lots of preening and splashing in the bird baths – and they have great appetites). I’m happy to spend a large proportion of my income on bird seed, fatballs and mealworm, and to keep their feeders clean, not just for their sake but for my own happiness; these little creatures give me more than I could ever give them.
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Hi, this is really down to the amount of blue light that led emits. In order to have enough output from the street lights councils go with the cheapest led solution which always has a strong blue wavelength of light it’s this blue light that triggers the dawn chorus to happen all throughout the night.
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I heard blackbirds singing tonight taking it in turns as if answering each other ;are they always of different sexes do you think as if calling to each other in order to mate?
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I often come home late at night (11:30 pm) and have been hearing the most beautiful birds songs. I live in a city. Fifteen or so years ago when I lived in the suburbs, I do not remember noticing this so much or at all. I was wondering what birds sang at night and why. That is how I came to this site. Just like everything else in nature, we are destroying the natural rhythm for birds. I loved the sounds but now find it very sad. I do understand how important it is to be able to sleep well, but Please put on some ear plugs for those who find it difficult to sleep because in the end It’s our fault that many of them are singing so loudly at night. Poor things are all mixed up and just trying to be heard. ?
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Its 2.49am in the morning i can hear birds talking to each other its rather cute. It’s pouring down with rain i only got up to get a drink. Is it normal for birds to communicate this early
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There is a Thrush singing away all night long in a tree near my flat. I don’t sleep well at night and I have noticed that the minute it starts to get light and the traffic noise starts begins, the Thrush stops whistling it’s tunes. I hadn’t realised it could be due to them adapting to the noise of traffic in the daytime making them sing at night. The traffic sound can be deafening where I am and I have also noticed that the Blackbirds are trying to outdo the cars noise-wise. I keep nearly jumping out my skin when one suddenly whistles near me.
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1. There mating sounds, and protecting there patch, because they think it’s because they don’t get heard through the day
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Is there anyway to stop a bird from singing and tweeting as it kept me awake last night and I laid there wondering why it was singing at night time also it made me think it was morning which also prevented me from sleeping. It is the Winter Solctise today has that effected it and put it out of sync.
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1. You could try playing white noise to mask external sounds or play sleep music or wear earplugs?
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  1. They say robins etc are first to start singing but I find the crows caw first here I read elsewhere that their voices and songs improve as they keep practicing
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2. ??? I can’t believe it.
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3. It’s nature, you should make sure not to disturb it and embrace it. The world without birds would be the same it is starting to be without bees and butterflies. I find myself wondering why the birds sing at night then I feel terrible when researching to learn that it is us humans who have forced those poor creatures to change their habits because of our greediness. Light pollution has ruined their routine. Just wear ear plugs and let the bird sing
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  1. man, all i am trying to get is good sleep and these mfs ruin every second of my day, especially the first bird. everyday/. it is mentally unhealthy for me, and i am forced to wear ear plugs.
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  2. i literally had a mental breakdown the other day because of it
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  3. Couldn’t agree with you more ! Heard a bird sing @ 5am (EDST) >>>crystal clear, beautiful. Thought it was singing just for me. LOL. Think it was a Robin
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4. Ear plugs
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