Which birds chirp

These birds typically only sing in the spring, but during that time they are often heard at night. A small songbird with a big voice, the European robin often sings year-round as it defends territory , and bright urban or suburban lighting can fool this bird into singing through the night.

Fortunately, the high, lilting song and occasional whistling tones make a beautiful song that many birders appreciate at any time. When not tricked by artificial lighting, the European robin often sings early in the morning and late in the evening. This familiar shorebird has a distinctive piercing call that can sound like a frantic, chattering song, even at night. These birds also often call while in flight, no matter what time of day it is, and may be calling through the night as they migrate in late fall and early spring.

To hear killdeers, however, birders will need to listen for these distinctive birds in the proper habitat near shallow water or open, barren fields that are ideal for nesting and foraging.

A secretive swamp bird found in scattered parts of the southeastern United States, including coastal Texas, as well as in the Caribbean and isolated parts of South America, the black rail has a distinctive song-like call.

The ki-ki-kooo call may be repeated over and over during the night, and has a rich, pipe-like tone. Because these birds are shy and reclusive, hearing their distinctive song is often much easier than spotting their dark plumage at night. It's no surprise that owls are vocal at night, and the barred owl has a mournful hooting call with longer notes at the end that can be heard throughout their range in the eastern United States, western Canada, and the Pacific Northwest.

These large owls may be soloists as they sing, or often pair up in duets during the courtship and breeding season. A pair of owls may call to one another repeatedly throughout the night, and solo birds will also sing for hours after dark. The barn owl is one of the most widespread species of owl , and is found on every continent except Antarctica.

While its long, loud, rasping screech isn't a true melodious song, it can be heard at any time of night as these birds are active. Their other sounds include a clicking, kleaking chatter, as well as more whispery begging calls young birds use to attract their parents' attention. Birders who put up barn owl boxes may hear all these unusual sounds through the night.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Dawn Chorus: why do birds sing in the morning? What is the dawn chorus? Why do birds sing in the morning? When can I hear the dawn chorus?

Why do birds sing so early? Which birds can I hear? Where can I hear the dawn chorus? Visiting woods. By Trevor Attenberg July 31, Audubon does not participate in political campaigns, nor do we support or oppose candidates. Get Audubon in Your Inbox Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. Email address. Find Audubon Near You Visit your local Audubon center, join a chapter, or help save birds with your state program.

Explore the Network. Become an Audubon Member Membership benefits include one year of Audubon magazine and the latest on birds and their habitats. Join Today. When hunting, however, Barred Owls use silence to their advantage. Their unique feather structure, which includes tiny serrations on their flight feathers, allows them to fly in virtual silence.

This quiet flight plus excellent nighttime vision make Barred Owls outstanding predators. Previously restricted largely to mature forests in eastern North America, these owls now inhabit large portions of the Pacific Northwest as well.

As their range has expanded, so have Barred Owl numbers, which have grown by 1. Barred Owl Lance A. Benner, XC Common Loon. Few bird sounds are as mournful or memorable as the Common Loon's yodel, but that's not this large bird's only claim to fame. When darkness falls, Common Loons can frequently be heard producing cackling tremolos and wolf-like wails that are no less haunting. Common Loon populations in the northern U. Like Bald Eagles and Ospreys , Common Loons dine on fish, receiving the full dose of toxins, such as mercury, as they accumulate up the food chain.

Migrating loons also may be vulnerable to collisions, particularly with wind turbines sited on lakes or other large bodies of water. Department of Energy and U.

Army Corps of Engineers to halt the construction of wind turbines on Lake Erie that could put Common Loons and many other migrating bird species at risk. Eastern Screech-Owl. When defending territory, males employ a whinnying call to warn off potential intruders. To communicate, pairs and families will make a cooing tremolo call.

While some birds chirping at night repeat the same sounds, Eastern Screech-Owls are different: They can hoot, bark, and, of course, screech.

Although the Eastern Screech-Owl is still considered a common species, numbers are in decline in some areas. These owls are often the victims of collisions with glass and vehicles, and those nesting in suburbs and orchards are vulnerable to pesticide s. As with many other species, habitat loss is a threat in many areas. Our Bird-Friendly Life web page also suggests ways to protect birds and bird habitats. If you have a wooded yard, you might even consider building a screech-owl nest box. Upland Sandpiper.

The Upland Sandpiper's ecstatic song bounces over the prairie during spring months when the birds are breeding. The melody, which combines wild trilling with an ethereal whistle, is typically used by males, which vocalize well into the night. Like other birds that sing at night, the Upland Sandpiper is not a nocturnal species and can be spotted during daylight hours. Although Upland Sandpiper populations have remained steady as a whole over the last 50 years, regional declines have led nearly two dozen states and provinces in the U.