Birdwatching at any time of day can be a treat, but you can increase your chances of seeing and hearing birds by understanding their behavior. The best times of day to go birdwatching is when they are most active and vocal.
Understanding Bird Behavior
Bird activity can be influenced by the season, temperature, food availability, and environmental conditions, but there are some general patterns. You can see or hear them best when they are most active, including when they are singing and calling. Birds use their songs and calls to communicate with each other, so it is an important part of their behavior, and also a handy way to find them.
The Dawn Chorus
Early morning is one of the most favorable times for birdwatching. Birds will begin to sing before the sun appears, and especially in the busy spring months, an intense chorus of birdsong can last well beyond sunrise. This time is often referred to as the "dawn chorus" or "morning chorus," when birds are most vocally active. During this period, they are calling to each other, seeking mates, and marking their territory. They are vocally identifying their location, so finding them may be easier than other times of day.
- Peak Activity: Bird activity can peak soon after sunrise. Depending on your latitude, birdsong can begin before 5 AM. To know which birds are singing, and when they start and peak, consider investing in a Haikubox, the 24/7 birdsong identifier. Your Haikubox will record the dawn chorus which you can check on without leaving the comfort of bed, or whenever you are ready to listen.
- Research on Dawn Chorus: When birds sing and why has been the subject of many scientific studies. Researchers continue to investigate the effects of weather, moon phase, breeding status, overnight temperatures, and day length on individual species and birds in general. Sign up for our newsletter - we share research findings like these each week.
Midday Lull
As the sun climbs higher in the sky, bird activity often experiences a noticeable dip. Birds may be busy searching for food or resting. Many birds will continue to vocalize during this time, using calls to communicate with other individuals. They often will not sing their big, bold songs during this time, but a patient birdwatcher can still hear and spot birds during the daytime.
The Dusk Chorus
As the day shifts towards evening, some birds will become more active and vocalizations may increase. During this time, you may notice more birds returning to the feeders or searching for food sources.
Just as there is a dawn chorus when the sun rises, some bird species will participate in a dusk chorus as the sun sets. Singing during this time may serve to reinforce territorial boundaries, attract mates or signal the transition from day to night. Some species move to their roosting sites in the waning hours of daylight, which means you might catch glimpses of them in transit.
Factors Influencing Bird Activity
While time of day is critical to your birdwatching success, several other factors can influence when and how often birds are active.
Seasonal Changes
Bird behavior can change significantly with the seasons. For example, during migration periods in the spring and fall, keep an eye (and ear) out for birds making stopover visits in your yard or starting to arrive for the breeding season.
- Spring: More species are typically active, as they are returning from their winter habitats, setting up territories, and attracting mates. In many species, only the male sings these songs, but in some species you may find females singing, too. Spring may be the best season for seeing new bird species.
- Summer: Birds are nesting and may be harder to spot, but young birds can also be seen outside the nest for the first time. Listen for their begging calls.
- Autumn: Migration begins again, and specific species can be observed passing through. Birds typically fly overnight and may land in your yard in the early morning hours to spend the day resting and eating. Setting up Haikubox alerts can let you know if any new birds have just arrived.
- Winter: Cold weather can restrict food sources; however, some species become more prevalent at feeders.
Weather Conditions
Wet and windy weather can deter bird activity, while mild and pleasant conditions encourage it. The best days to bird watch are often those with mild temperatures and little to no wind. Rainy days can lead to increased activity once the weather clears, making for typical activity bursts.
Tips for Successful Birdwatching
Enhancing your birdwatching experience doesn’t necessarily require advanced equipment. Simple tips can vastly improve your success rate:
- Be Patient: Birdwatching requires time and patience. Move slowly and quietly to minimize disturbances.
- Find Ideal Locations: Look for areas with abundant vegetation and water sources to attract more birds.
- Follow the Seasons: Stay aware of seasonal migration patterns and how they influence local bird populations.
- Dress Appropriately: Consider weather conditions to ensure comfort during your outings.
Conservation Bioacoustics
Bioacoustics is the study of animal sounds and scientists are increasingly using bioacoustics to understand and track animal behavior. Just like you, they want to know where birds are and how a variety of environmental and human-made factors influence their behaviors. By using automated recording devices (like Haikubox), they can study animals and their behaviors in many locations simultaneously and remotely. Using this information to make positive change is the backbone of conservation bioacoustics. Understanding where birds are, when they are active, and which species might be present can allow people to take more impactful steps to protecting them.