These Birds Singing at Night Can Give Goosebumps
Northern Mockingbird An accomplished mimic with a broad repertoire, the northern mockingbird is one of the most familiar night-singing birds. Found throughout the United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, these birds sing different tones, notes, and sequences in sets of three.
Eastern Whip-poor-will This member of the nightjar family is much more easily heard than seen, thanks to its highly camouflaged plumage. Because these are nocturnal birds, they often stay quietly roosting during the day, but at night they speak up with an enchanting song that sounds as if it's chirping its own name of whip-poor-will, with the last syllable that rises at the end.
Hermit Thrush This reddish-brown thrush is one of the most beautiful songsters of North America, and its range spreads from Mexico into Canada depending on the season and migration timing. With a lilting song filled with musical whistles and warbles that almost sounds like a flute, this bird is easy to hear, and it often sings very late in the evening or early in the morning.
American Robin This favorite backyard bird of North America has a familiar song, and it is a common member of the dawn chorus. Light pollution in urban and suburban areas, however, can easily trick this thrush into singing through the night, especially in the spring when songs are part of courtship rituals.
Black-Crowned Night-Heron While these wading birds don't have a musical song, their raspy, croaking calls that sound almost like chattering ducks are commonly heard throughout the night. This can add an eerie overture to the marshes, swamps, and wetlands these birds call home throughout their range.
Common Nightingale One of the most prolific songbirds in Europe, Asia, and Africa, the common nightingale may at first seem plain, but its song is anything but ordinary.
Yellow-Breasted Chat This large, warbler-like bird may be brightly colored with its bold yellow throat and breast, but it prefers to stay hidden in thickets. When it wants to sing, however, it will occasionally venture into a more open spot and thrill listeners with warbling chirps, whistling chatters, and some raspy quack-like notes.
European Robin A small songbird with a big voice, the European robin often sings year-round as it defends territory, and bright urban or suburban lighting can fool this bird into singing through the night. Fortunately, the high, lilting but very high-pitched song and occasional whistling tones make a beautiful song that many birders appreciate at any time.
Killdeer This familiar shorebird has a distinctive piercing call that can sound like a frantic, chattering song, even at night. These birds also often call while in flight, no matter what time of day it is, and may be calling through the night as they migrate in late fall and early spring.
Black Rail A secretive swamp bird found in scattered parts of the southeastern United States, including coastal Texas, as well as in the Caribbean and isolated parts of South America, the black rail has a distinctive song-like call. The ki-ki-ki-kerr call may be repeated during the night with a rich, pipe-like tone.