If You’ve Ever Wondered Why Birds Sing So Early In The Morning, It’s Known As “Dawn Chorus” And Serves To Both Attract Mates And Defend Territory
Waking up in the morning to the sound of birds tweeting, warbling, and chirping their hearts out is a sign that spring has arrived.
The behavior is natural for them, and they pretty much never skip a day, which makes them reliable alarm clocks.
But have you ever wondered why they sing in the wee hours of the morning?
According to the Woodland Trust, the early singing is known as the dawn chorus. It starts just before dawn, usually with the songs of robins, blackbirds, and thrushes.
Soon, they’re joined by wrens, wood pigeons, and warblers. When it’s light enough for them to see, great tits, blue tits, finches, and sparrows will add their calls to create a chorus of varying melodies that somehow perfectly come together in harmony.
The reason behind the dawn chorus is to attract mates and defend territory. Male birds are typically the ones you hear in the morning. It is thought that they sing in the morning to show off their strength.
By producing a lot of noise, they’re letting the females know that they survived a long, chilly night, which means they must make excellent mates.
Not only does loud birdsong indicate that they are strong, healthy, and well-fed, but it also warns other males away from their turf.
Additionally, the early mornings are too dark to be spotted by predators or to participate in other bird activities, such as searching for food.
Sander Meertins – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual bird
So, that leaves them with nothing else to do except sing. The hours before sunrise are quiet and still, allowing birds to carry a clearer tune. The clarity helps them communicate more efficiently with fellow birds.
You can hear the dawn chorus in green spaces like the woods or a park. Or, even just the trees and bushes in your yard can provide you with a front-row seat to the show. The dawn chorus runs from March to July, peaking in May and June.
You’ll need to be an early riser to catch the first renditions. But if you’re not one to get up with the sun, don’t worry! There’s plenty of time to listen to the performance since the songs will continue throughout the morning.
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