Why Do Birds Sing in The Morning?

Did you know that on the first Sunday in May each year it's International Dawn Chorus day, where everyone is encouraged to get up early to hear the first song of these birds?

Birds singing plays such an important role in the lives of birds and other animals. We've got a whole load of information on why wild birds sing in the morning - from rival males to body clocks there are so many reasons.

Whether it's Robins, Blackbirds or Warblers there are some amazing birds that take part in this chorus first thing in the morning.

So tune in and find out more!

The Dawn Chorus

The Dawn Chorus is one of natures most amazing sights, or sounds I suppose, and it happens all across the UK, especially during March to July (breeding season for so many birds) and hearing birds singing is actually used as an early signal for Spring.

The collective chirps and tweets of wild birds can be heard in the early morning. Triggered by daylight, hormonal changes and changes in temperature, this bird song phenomenon is known to be used in the Bird world to attract mates, defend territory and call in and communicate with other birds in their flock.

Male birds are usually the ones up singing from an hour before the sun rises and female birds do join in too. The best time to listen is half an hour before the sun rises (As they say, the early bird catches the worm - and it's definitely worth heading out early to listen to these birds chirp)

Birds' Internal Clocks: Why Early Morning?

The dawn chorus is led by birds internal clocks (their circadian rhythm) and all the birds that sing in the morning are controlled by this - it's a little bit like an internal alarm clock.

A birds biological clock regulates their sleep wake cycle, this is influenced by many things including daylight and dark. It helps most birds stay in their cycles and helps them know when they need to do certain things: the dawn chorus is one of these things.

You might be wondering why early morning hours are the best? The timing is synchronised by light changes (it becomes lighter early during spring.) and early morning is the best time as their voices and few songs carry the furthest and can be heard the best.

Some birds do start singing earlier than others, for example, the Song Thrush or Great Tit can be heard from early January. They are soon joined by other voices...

Territory Marking

Birdsong is often used to define the boundaries of their territory. They'll sing in specific locations high up in trees to indicate the boundary of their habitat and deter rival male bird from taking advantage of this area.

The complexity, quality and frequency of a species bird song will help to indicate their health and vitality to a potential mate, or a potential rival. The sound that they make is super important and can help them thrive during the breeding season.

A well established song helps to deter the threat of fights with other male birds.

Survival From Predators

In some cases, the vocalisations at the dawn chorus might serve to mislead or distract predators. By creating a lot of loud noise, animals might confuse predators about their exact location or make it more difficult for them to locate them precisely.

In a more indirect way, morning singing could act as a kind of early warning system for other members of the species. The presence of singing could signal that the area is occupied and monitored, potentially deterring predators from approaching.

Attracting Females

A male's morning song often serves as an advertisement of his overall fitness and health. A strong, consistent song can indicate that the male is in good physical condition and has the stamina to maintain a territory and perform energetically. Females may use these signals to assess the genetic quality of potential mates.

By advertising his territory through song, a male can attract females who are looking for a secure and well-defined breeding area.

The dawn chorus is a mesmerising natural phenomenon that exemplifies the intricate beauty of avian communication. As the sunrise breaks, the simultaneous burst of melodies from various bird species creates a symphony of sound that celebrates the arrival of a new day.

This chorus not only showcases the diversity of avian species and their unique songs but also highlights the profound connection between birds and their environment.