Welcome to Wildlife In Focus. Birdsong has long fascinated humans, particularly the melodious singing that occurs during the quiet hours of the night. Among the many birds that sing after sunset, the Nightingale holds a legendary reputation for its enchanting nocturnal song. However, this reputation often leads to misconceptions, as many people assume that any bird singing at night must be a Nightingale. But, there are a few birds that habitually sing during the night, and sadly, the Nightingale is now one of the rarest. In this video, we explore 4 of the birds that you might hear.
The Nighttime Songbirds: European Robin
The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is the most typical nighttime singer in human habitats. They can commonly be found in towns, villages, and gardens, and they sing all year round during both the day and night. You are most likely to hear them, however, during the spring and summer, although they do occasionally sing during the winter to declare their territories.
Their song is clear, sweet, and melodic, and described by some as almost wistful or flute-like. It consists of a rich series of warbling phrases, varying in pitch and tempo, delivered in a fluid and somewhat rambling manner. Each phrase tends to start with a few high, thin notes before descending into more complex, melodious warbles and trills.
European Robin Call:
Manuel Grosselet, xeno-canto.org
For many of us, the persistent singing at night in urban areas makes it the most recognizable nocturnal singer among common birds.
The Nighttime Songbirds: The Blackbird
The Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) is another year-round singer, often heard singing late into the evening and occasionally at night when conditions are calm. Although they are less likely than robins to sing during the dead of night, they do so occasionally.
The Eurasian Blackbird boasts one of the most beautiful and recognizable songs in Europe. Its song is rich, mellow, and flute-like, consisting of slow, melodic phrases delivered with a calm and reflective tone. Each phrase typically features a few clear, whistled notes followed by varied warbles, trills, or gurgles, often with pauses in between.
Male blackbirds sing from prominent perches, especially during the early morning and evening in the breeding season. Their songs are highly individual, with each bird having its unique repertoire; some even mimic fragments of other birds’ calls.
Blackbird Call:
Francesco Sottile, xeno-canto.org
The blackbird’s song carries a peaceful, almost meditative quality, making it a quintessential sound of spring and summer gardens, woodlands, and parks. Often described as expressive, confident, and soothing.
The Nighttime Songbirds: Song Thrush
The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is known for its loud, clear, and distinctive song, which features repeating phrases. Each phrase, often characterized by rich whistles, chirrups, or gurgling notes, is typically repeated two to four times before transitioning to the next phrase. This repetition creates a rhythmic and almost poetic structure in its song.
This unique characteristic gives the Song Thrush’s song a striking and emphatic quality, setting it apart from other thrush species. The overall tone is musical, bright, and varied, combining sharp, ringing notes with softer, more melodious sounds. Song Thrushes are also skilled mimics, often incorporating sounds from other birds and even mechanical noises into their melodies.
Song Thrush Song:
Meena Haribal, xeno-canto.org
Males typically sing from prominent perches, especially during the early morning and late evening in spring and early summer. Their powerful song can be heard over long distances and is a classic sound of woodland edges, parks, and gardens.
The Nighttime Songbirds: Nightingale
The song of the Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) is renowned for being rich, powerful, and emotionally expressive. It encompasses a wide variety of notes, including bold whistles, rapid trills, mellow gurgles, and sudden, piercing phrases. Sung with remarkable volume and clarity, the melody is both diverse and fluid, with minimal repetition, which makes it unpredictable and captivating.
Nightingales typically sing from deep within dense vegetation, especially in the evening and throughout the night during the spring, contributing to their romantic reputation. Their song is complex and versatile, featuring dramatic shifts in tempo and tone—ranging from soft, breathy phrases to loud, resonant bursts.
Nightingale Song:
Manuel Grosselet, xeno-canto.org
Males sing to attract mates and establish territory, and their performances are among the most celebrated in the bird world.
