Why do birds sing in the morning?

Sarah Robertson

Wednesday 28 Mar 2018 7:23 am 

A certain generation will remember singing in school assembly the hymn ‘Morning has broken’ with the lyrics ‘blackbird has spoken like the first bird…’. 

But why do birds sing in the morning? Songbirds account for nearly half the world’s 9,600 bird species and while their patterns of singing varies, it generally takes place in the morning starting at around 4am. 

Biologists think this may be because they are settled in their territory and are letting others know their whereabouts. Some ornithologists think that birds like to sing in the morning because the sound carries further because there is less noise around and the air is denser at that time.

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Man-made noise prompting songbirds to change timing of dawn chorus

Robins, blackbirds and nightingales are having to alter the time of their dawn chorus so their efforts are not in vain, a study has found

By Roger Dobson, and Edward Malnick

8:30AM GMT 07 Dec 2014

It is the sound synonymous with the start of a new day. But now, as a result of increased urbanisation and man-made noise levels, birds are having to begin their dawn chorus long before sunrise in order to make themselves heard.

Robins, blackbirds and nightingales are among a series of species which have taken to altering the time of their morning song so their efforts are not in vain, a study has found.

In some cases, birds are starting their dawn chorus two hours before sunrise, potentially putting themselves at risk from predators. A study conducted at five airports found that birds were anticipating the morning rush of planes, which start taking off at 6am, and changing their song times in order to avoid it.

The study builds on research showing that many species had taken to singing louder and at a higher pitch to increase their chances of being heard in noisy cities — although much of the time they are still unable to compete, especially if they are trying to drown out a jumbo jet.

“Our results suggest that birds may anticipate aircraft noise, and show that birds change their behaviour in anticipation of the increase in noise,” said Dr Diego Gil, who led the research. “An earlier dawn chorus is being seen in our cities too because of the joint effects of high ambient noise levels at dawn and continuous artificial lighting over night.’’

Birds use song for attracting mates, defending territories or warning against predators. Songbirds are able to vary the pitch, intensity and content of their calls.

Man-made sounds, the authors said, mask signals between birds, hampering their ability to communicate with each other.

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The dawn chorus is dying out as bird numbers decrease

ANYONE awakened by bird song this morning should cherish the moment.

For the dawn chorus, inspiration of poets and composers down the years, is losing its virtuoso performers.

While town birds are increasing the decibels to compete with urban noise, the countryside is slipping slowly towards an eerie silence.

Many of the iconic birds whose mating calls ring out across woodlands and open fields during early May are vanishing at an alarming rate.

The sounds of the cuckoo, nightingale and turtle dove are enshrined in British folklore, but as bird lovers rise today to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day, there are fears that there will be fewer birds of fewer types and fewer songs with each passing year.

The recently released State of the UK’s Birds report reveals that the populations of both summer migrants and many resident species have declined over recent years.

Cuckoos and nightingales have declined by 62 per cent and 52 per cent respectively since the Nineties, while there are a startling 93 per cent fewer turtle doves since the Seventies. Other key choristers such as the willow warbler, skylark and dunnock are also disappearing.

Continued