The Dawn Chorus: Understanding Why Birds Sing in the Morning

Have you ever been awakened by birds singing in the early morning? If you have, perhaps you thought it was just a bunch of birds greeting each other. However, it turns out that birds sing in the morning for several specific reasons. There is a purpose or even multiple purposes behind their songs.

What are birds saying when they sing so loudly in the morning? Why do they sing at that time of day? Do male and female birds both sing in the morning?

Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and to discover more about this phenomenon known as the dawn chorus.

Why Do Birds Sing in the Morning?

There are many reasons why birds sing in the mornings. For example, male birds sing in the morning to display their excellent health and strength. Many of them start singing while it’s still dark or just as the sun is coming up. At this time, the birds have not had a chance to look for food. Not surprisingly, they are low on energy.

Birds may begin singing before dawn primarily to communicate, as the quiet environment allows their songs to travel further and be heard more clearly by potential mates and rivals. After singing at dawn, birds will then begin their daily routine. These are the primary reasons birds sing first thing in the morning.

To Attract Female Mates

A male bird with a strong voice early in the morning is likely to attract the attention of many female birds. Females want to have young with the healthiest male they can find so their young will be healthy. This is just one reason why birds sing in the morning: to attract attention.

To Protect Their Territory

A second reason why male birds sing in the morning is to protect their territory. When they pipe a loud song, they’re letting other males in the area know they are not welcome visitors. A loud song can indicate a male bird’s health and vigor, potentially deterring rivals and attracting mates, but it is one of many factors in complex social interactions among birds.

To Protect Their Young

A male bird needs to protect its nest of young. This is another purpose behind an early morning song. When a male sings out he is essentially warning other male birds in the area to stay away from his nest. Male and female birds have a strong instinct to protect their young in any way possible.

Birds Sing When It’s Quiet

Singing in the early morning gives a male bird the chance to share his song at a time when there is very little noise. Crickets and other insects chirping in the weeds are not as loud as they will be later in the day. Also, depending on the location, there is normally very little traffic noise. This is an ideal time for male birds to be heard.

Some male birds perch on the highest branches of a tree, on a rooftop, on a building, or atop a telephone pole so they can project their voice even further out into the environment. Being up so high means a male is more visible to female birds in the vicinity.

This makes it easier for a male and female to connect. This is yet another way to get an advantage over other male birds singing in the area. The goal of male birds is to have their song heard, with factors such as volume, complexity, and quality playing roles in attracting mates.

Birds Sing Before the Day’s Work Begins

Birds spend most of their day looking for insects or building or repairing their nest. However, it’s too dark to look for food or work on their nest before the sun comes up. So, in a way, the early morning is the most practical time for male birds to sing.

There’s another important factor to consider. When a male bird is singing so loudly, it is doing something that not only draws the attention of female birds but of predators as well.

Consequently, singing before the sun comes up allows a male bird to remain somewhat hidden from domesticated cats, hawks, snakes, and other predators.