20 Birds That Sing at Evening in California (Photos and Identification)

California’s nights are removed from silent. Because the solar units and the world grows quieter, many hen species start to fill the darkness with their distinctive songs and calls. From the comfortable coos of owls to the tireless melodies of mockingbirds, these nocturnal singers convey life to the night hours.

Figuring out birds that sing at evening could be each fascinating and difficult. Their voices carry throughout metropolis streets, quiet valleys, and forested hillsides, every species with its personal rhythm and tone. For birdwatchers, listening after darkish opens up a brand new world of discovery.

On this information, we’ll discover 20 birds that sing at evening in California. You’ll study their figuring out options, behaviors, and the particular qualities of their nighttime songs, making it simpler to acknowledge and admire these hidden voices of the evening.

Varieties of Birds That Sing at Evening in California

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

The Northern Mockingbird is likely one of the most iconic evening singers in California, usually filling quiet suburban neighborhoods with its advanced and different songs. It’s a medium-sized songbird, about 8–10 inches lengthy, with grey plumage, a pale stomach, and distinctive white wing patches that flash throughout flight. This hen is well known for its potential to imitate the songs of different hen species, in addition to mechanical appears like automobile alarms or whistles.

Not like many birds that sing primarily through the day, the Northern Mockingbird is thought for its prolonged nighttime singing, particularly through the breeding season. Males sing most actively at evening when they’re unmated or defending a territory, producing an extended sequence of repeated phrases. Its voice is wealthy, daring, and endlessly artistic, making it one of the vital noticeable evening vocalists in city and rural California.

In California, the Northern Mockingbird could be present in open habitats, metropolis parks, orchards, and residential areas. They’re year-round residents throughout a lot of the state, from coastal areas to inland valleys. Their nighttime songs usually echo via heat evenings, significantly in Southern California the place they thrive in each pure and concrete landscapes.

Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)

The Western Screech-Owl is a small, stocky owl measuring round 8–10 inches in size, with mottled grey or brown plumage that blends seamlessly into tree bark. Its giant yellow eyes and ear tufts give it a particular look, although it may be troublesome to identify attributable to its glorious camouflage. Regardless of its title, this owl doesn’t produce a harsh screech however as an alternative a sequence of soppy, rhythmic whistles that rise and fall in pitch.

At evening, the Western Screech-Owl is extremely vocal, and its haunting trills can usually be heard in wooded areas, deserts, and even suburban backyards. It’s most energetic after nightfall, calling to determine territory and appeal to a mate. Their tune is commonly described as a bouncing ball sound, creating an eerie however fascinating ambiance on quiet California nights.

This owl is broadly distributed all through California, from coastal forests to arid foothills and canyons. They’re usually heard greater than seen, particularly in areas with giant timber or close to rivers the place they hunt bugs, small mammals, and reptiles. Their nighttime calls add a mysterious appeal to California’s pure soundscape.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

The Barn Owl is immediately recognizable by its heart-shaped white face, lengthy wings, and slender physique. Measuring 13–15 inches in size with a wingspan of as much as 3.5 ft, it has pale golden-buff plumage above and pure white beneath. Not like many different owls, the Barn Owl doesn’t hoot; as an alternative, it produces a chilling, raspy screech that echoes throughout open fields at evening.

Barn Owls are nocturnal hunters, gliding silently on broad wings as they seek for rodents in farmlands, grasslands, and marshes. Their eerie calls can usually be heard throughout nighttime hunts, including a ghostly high quality to California’s countryside. Whereas they don’t sing melodically, their shrieks are a defining sound of the evening in lots of rural and suburban areas.

In California, Barn Owls are widespread and could be discovered all through the state. They usually nest in barns, outdated buildings, and tree cavities, giving them their title. Their haunting calls are particularly widespread in agricultural valleys and open countryside, the place they play an necessary position in controlling rodent populations.

Nice Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

The Nice Horned Owl is one in every of California’s largest and strongest owls, reaching 18–25 inches in size with a wingspan of as much as 5 ft. Its broad physique, giant ear tufts, and piercing yellow eyes make it one of the vital iconic nocturnal raptors. Its plumage is mottled brown and grey, offering glorious camouflage towards tree bark.

This owl is known for its deep, resonant hooting, normally delivered in a sequence of 4 to 5 notes. At evening, the Nice Horned Owl’s hoots can journey lengthy distances, usually serving as territorial calls. Men and women generally duet, making a haunting nighttime refrain that echoes via forests, deserts, and even metropolis parks.

Nice Horned Owls are widespread in California, from coastal cliffs to excessive mountains and deserts. They’re highly effective hunters, able to preying on mammals as giant as skunks and rabbits. Their iconic hoots make them one of the vital recognizable nighttime voices within the state.

Widespread Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)

The Widespread Poorwill is a small, nocturnal hen about 7–8 inches lengthy with cryptic brown, grey, and black plumage that makes it almost invisible through the day. It belongs to the nightjar household and is thought for its brief tail, rounded wings, and huge mouth tailored for catching flying bugs. Its look permits it to mix completely into rocky and desert environments.

At evening, the Widespread Poorwill produces a particular, repetitive “poor-will” name, from which it will get its title. The sound is comfortable however persistent, carrying via heat summer time evenings in California’s deserts and foothills. Not like songbirds, its name is straightforward, nevertheless it is likely one of the most attribute sounds of the evening in arid landscapes.

In California, the Widespread Poorwill is discovered primarily in open habitats, comparable to deserts, scrublands, and rocky hillsides. It’s particularly widespread within the southern and japanese elements of the state. This hen is notable for being the one hen recognized to enter true hibernation, generally going dormant throughout chilly spells. Its repetitive nighttime tune provides a singular voice to California’s desert nights.

Widespread Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor)

The Widespread Nighthawk is a slender hen measuring 8–10 inches in size, with lengthy pointed wings and a notched tail. Its plumage is a mottled mixture of grey, black, and white, offering glorious camouflage towards gravel or naked floor the place it usually nests. In flight, it reveals a particular white bar throughout every wing.

At nightfall and through the evening, the Widespread Nighthawk turns into energetic, feeding on flying bugs it catches in midair. Its calls embrace a nasal, sharp “peent” sound, usually heard because it swoops and dives via the sky. Throughout courtship flights, males produce a dramatic booming sound as air rushes via their wings throughout steep dives.

In California, Widespread Nighthawks are most frequently present in open areas comparable to grasslands, deserts, and even city rooftops. They’re extra generally heard throughout summer time evenings after they migrate into the state to breed. Their sharp calls and aerial shows make them one of many extra dramatic nighttime birds throughout California’s skies.

California Towhee (Melozone crissalis)

The California Towhee is a medium-sized sparrow-like hen, about 8–9 inches lengthy, with plain brown plumage and a particular rust-colored patch underneath the tail. Whereas not flashy in look, its simplicity makes it simple to acknowledge amongst California’s backyard birds. Its giant dimension and heavy invoice additionally distinguish it from different sparrows.

Though California Towhees aren’t recognized for elaborate songs, males usually produce a pointy metallic “chink” name and a easy sequence of notes. They’ll generally be heard singing softly within the early morning and late night, significantly in suburban areas the place synthetic gentle might encourage nighttime exercise. Their calls are repetitive however carry effectively in quiet neighborhoods.

This species is discovered year-round in California, thriving in chaparral, oak woodlands, and residential gardens. They usually keep near the bottom, scratching via leaves in quest of bugs and seeds. Whereas daytime is their most energetic interval, their occasional late-night songs are a well-known sound in each rural and concrete areas.

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

The Killdeer is a slender shorebird measuring 9–11 inches in size, with brown upperparts, white underparts, and two daring black breast bands. Its lengthy legs and loud voice make it one of many best plovers to determine, even removed from water. Killdeer are sometimes present in open fields, parking heaps, and grasslands throughout California.

At evening, Killdeer are surprisingly vocal, producing their piercing “kill-deer” calls as they fly overhead. They’re particularly energetic throughout migration and on vibrant moonlit nights, after they feed and transfer about underneath the duvet of darkness. Their loud, ringing voices make them one of the vital noticeable nighttime birds in open landscapes.

In California, Killdeer are widespread year-round, significantly in agricultural valleys, wetlands, and suburban areas. As a result of they usually nest on gravel or naked floor, their nighttime calls are ceaselessly heard close to human settlements. Their nocturnal exercise makes them one of many few shorebirds that repeatedly sing at evening.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

The Western Meadowlark is a medium-sized songbird, 8–11 inches lengthy, with a vibrant yellow stomach and a daring black “V” on its chest. Its upperparts are streaked brown, giving it camouflage in grasslands. In flight, its brief tail with white outer feathers is a useful area mark.

Recognized for its wealthy, flute-like tune, the Western Meadowlark is one in every of California’s most celebrated singers. Whereas it primarily sings through the day, males generally proceed their melodic whistles into the night or nighttime, particularly through the breeding season. Their tune is nice, advanced, and carries lengthy distances throughout open prairies and farmlands.

This hen is broadly discovered throughout California in meadows, fields, and agricultural lands. Throughout spring and summer time, their songs echo throughout the Central Valley and grasslands. On heat nights, it’s not uncommon to listen to a meadowlark singing underneath the celebrities, including a lyrical observe to California’s nocturnal soundscape.

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

The American Robin is likely one of the most acquainted songbirds in California, measuring about 10 inches in size with a brick-red breast, darkish grey again, and yellow invoice. Typically seen hopping throughout lawns, it’s a well-known image of spring. Regardless of being a typical daytime hen, robins are additionally among the many species that sing at evening.

Robins produce a melodious, flute-like tune, usually described as “cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio.” They’re particularly energetic singers at daybreak and nightfall, however in city areas with vibrant streetlights, they might proceed singing lengthy into the evening. This nocturnal singing is regarded as influenced by synthetic gentle and the lowered competitors of nighttime soundscapes.

In California, robins are discovered throughout a variety of habitats, from forests to metropolis neighborhoods. Their nighttime songs are significantly widespread in suburban areas, the place synthetic lighting alters their pure conduct. In consequence, the American Robin has turn into one of the vital broadly heard nighttime singers in California’s cities.

Track Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

The Track Sparrow is a small to medium-sized sparrow, about 5–7 inches lengthy, with streaked brown plumage and a particular darkish spot on the chest. Its modest look hides one of the vital different and exquisite songs amongst sparrows. Every particular person has its personal distinctive variations, making it a pleasant hen to determine by ear.

Track Sparrows are recognized for his or her cheerful, melodious songs, usually starting with a couple of sharp notes adopted by a candy, advanced trill. Whereas they normally sing through the day, people residing close to synthetic lights generally proceed singing into the evening. This conduct is most frequently noticed throughout spring and early summer time when breeding exercise is excessive.

In California, the Track Sparrow is widespread in wetlands, brushy fields, and suburban gardens. They’re year-round residents in lots of areas and are particularly ample in coastal marshes. Their tendency to sing at evening underneath synthetic lights makes them a well-known voice even after darkish in populated areas.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

The White-crowned Sparrow is a hanging sparrow about 6–7 inches lengthy, simply acknowledged by its daring black-and-white striped head. Its physique is grey with brown wings, and it has a crisp, elegant look in comparison with different sparrows. Throughout migration, California turns into an necessary stopover for this species.

Its tune is evident and whistled, starting with a sequence of lengthy notes adopted by trills and buzzes. White-crowned Sparrows are recognized to sing not solely through the day but additionally at nightfall and into the evening, significantly whereas migrating. Their songs are sometimes described as candy and plaintive, filling the night air with delicate music.

In California, they’re widespread winter guests and migrants, particularly in coastal areas, open fields, and metropolis gardens. Throughout migration intervals, their songs could also be heard late into the night or evening as they transfer underneath cowl of darkness. This conduct makes them one of the vital ceaselessly heard nighttime sparrows within the state.

Noticed Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

The Noticed Towhee is a hanging sparrow-sized hen, about 6–7 inches lengthy, with a black head and again, white spots on its wings, and wealthy rufous sides. Its daring plumage makes it one of the vital engaging towhees in California. They’re normally seen scratching noisily on the bottom underneath shrubs or alongside woodland edges.

Whereas their tune is a buzzy trill through the day, Noticed Towhees sometimes give sharp, metallic “chek” calls at evening. These calls aren’t advanced songs however function contact or alarm notes, usually heard when the hen is disturbed in darkness. Their nighttime sounds are transient however distinctive, particularly in areas the place they’re widespread.

In California, Noticed Towhees are discovered year-round in chaparral, forest edges, and suburban gardens. Although they’re primarily daytime birds, their occasional nighttime calls add one other layer of sound to California evenings, significantly in brushy or wooded habitats.

Northern Noticed-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

The Northern Noticed-whet Owl is likely one of the smallest owls in North America, measuring solely 7–8 inches lengthy with a spherical head, giant yellow eyes, and no ear tufts. Its brown plumage with white streaking helps it stay well-camouflaged towards tree trunks. Regardless of its tiny dimension, it has a strong voice that travels far at evening.

This owl’s name is a sequence of high-pitched, repetitive whistles that sound like “toot, toot, toot,” persevering with steadily for minutes at a time. These notes are most frequently heard at evening through the breeding season, serving as a territorial and courtship name. Their persistent, virtually mechanical rhythm makes them one of many extra uncommon nighttime voices in California forests.

In California, Northern Noticed-whet Owls inhabit dense forests, particularly in mountainous areas. They’re secretive and barely seen, however their nighttime whistles reveal their presence to attentive listeners. Their nocturnal tune provides thriller to California’s woodlands after darkish.

Lengthy-eared Owl (Asio otus)

The Lengthy-eared Owl is a slender, medium-sized owl, about 14–16 inches lengthy, simply acknowledged by its tall ear tufts and hanging orange facial disks. Its mottled brown plumage offers glorious camouflage in wooded habitats. Although extra secretive than the Nice Horned Owl, its calls could be heard on calm nights.

At evening, males give a sequence of low, muffled hoots spaced a number of seconds aside. They might additionally produce squeaks and barks throughout courtship or territorial shows. These sounds are most frequently heard in spring and summer time, when owls are breeding. Their hoots are comfortable however can carry stunning distances in quiet environments.

In California, Lengthy-eared Owls are present in riparian woodlands, deserts with scattered timber, and agricultural lands. They’re extra usually detected by sound than sight, making their nighttime calls an necessary clue for birdwatchers trying to find this elusive species.

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

The Burrowing Owl is a small, long-legged owl, about 9–11 inches tall, with vibrant yellow eyes and a spherical head missing ear tufts. Not like most owls, it’s usually energetic through the day, however its conduct continues after sundown, making it one in every of California’s extra distinctive nocturnal birds.

At evening, Burrowing Owls produce quite a lot of sounds, together with comfortable cooing, clucking, and chattering calls. These vocalizations are used to speak with mates and younger, and generally to defend territories. Their uncommon calls, mixed with their tendency to stay in open habitats, make them fairly distinctive in comparison with forest-dwelling owls.

In California, Burrowing Owls stay in grasslands, deserts, and agricultural areas, usually taking up deserted floor squirrel burrows. Their nighttime sounds can usually be heard in wide-open landscapes, including character to the nocturnal refrain of the state’s arid areas.

Nice Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

The Nice Blue Heron is California’s largest heron, standing about 4 ft tall with a wingspan of almost 6 ft. Its slate-blue feathers, lengthy legs, and dagger-like invoice make it unmistakable. Whereas swish by day, it additionally has a stunning nocturnal presence.

Though not a songbird, the Nice Blue Heron produces harsh, croaking squawks, particularly when flying at evening or when disturbed at a nesting colony. These guttural calls can sound eerie within the darkness, echoing throughout wetlands and coastal habitats. Their vocalizations are normally brief however very loud, usually startling to those that hear them unexpectedly.

In California, Nice Blue Herons are widespread, inhabiting marshes, lakes, rivers, and coastal estuaries. They usually feed by moonlight or in synthetic gentle, and their evening calls are most typical close to rookeries or whereas flying between feeding websites.

Black-crowned Evening-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

The Black-crowned Evening-Heron is a medium-sized wading hen, about 23–28 inches lengthy, with a stocky physique, brief neck, and thick invoice. Adults are hanging, with black caps, grey wings, and purple eyes, whereas immatures are brown and streaked. True to its title, this species is most energetic after sundown.

At evening, these herons produce loud, raspy “quawk” calls, usually as they fly between feeding areas. Their squawks are harsh and unmistakable, repeatedly heard after nightfall close to wetlands, rivers, and coastal lagoons. Not like different herons which can be primarily diurnal, Black-crowned Evening-Herons are strongly nocturnal hunters.

In California, they’re widespread residents of wetlands, lakes, and coastal areas. Colonies of those birds usually come alive with noise after sundown, as people depart to forage underneath cowl of darkness. Their harsh calls are one of many defining nighttime sounds of marshlands throughout the state.

Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens)

The Yellow-breasted Chat is the most important species of warbler in North America, measuring about 7–8 inches lengthy. It’s simply acknowledged by its vibrant yellow breast, olive-green again, white spectacles across the eyes, and lengthy tail. Although usually shy and hidden in dense shrubs, its vivid coloration and loud voice give it away through the breeding season.

Not like most warblers, the Yellow-breasted Chat has a different and weird tune, crammed with whistles, cackles, and harsh notes. Throughout spring and summer time, males usually sing not solely through the day but additionally late into the evening, particularly on moonlit evenings. This conduct makes it one of many few songbirds in California that repeatedly sings in darkness.

In California, the Yellow-breasted Chat is present in riparian thickets, dense brushlands, and shrubby streamsides through the breeding season. Although extra widespread within the southern and central elements of the state, its nocturnal songs could be heard in appropriate habitats, including a vigorous refrain to heat summer time nights.

Western Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus)

The Western Whip-poor-will is a nocturnal nightjar, about 9–10 inches lengthy, with mottled gray-brown plumage that blends completely with leaf litter. Its huge mouth is tailored for catching bugs in flight, and its giant darkish eyes are well-suited for nighttime exercise. This cryptic hen is never seen however usually heard after nightfall.

Its tune is a repetitive, rhythmic “whip-poor-will” phrase, repeated endlessly via the evening. The decision has a rolling, haunting high quality and might proceed for hours, creating a gentle background of sound in quiet forests. Males sing most persistently through the breeding season, each to determine territory and appeal to mates.

In California, the Western Whip-poor-will is uncommon and localized, occurring primarily in forested mountain areas. When current, its steady nighttime chanting makes it one of the vital distinctive nocturnal voices. Listening to a whip-poor-will is taken into account a particular expertise, because the species is secretive and never widespread within the state.

FAQs about Birds That Sing at Evening in California

Why do some birds sing at evening in California?

Many birds sing at evening for causes comparable to attracting mates, defending their territory, or benefiting from quieter nighttime hours. Synthetic lights in city areas may also set off nocturnal singing, as birds mistake them for daylight.

Which is the most typical night-singing hen in California?

The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is probably the most generally heard evening singer in California. Males usually sing for hours after darkish, particularly through the breeding season, producing a variety of mimicked calls.

Do owls in California sing or simply name at evening?

Owls such because the Nice Horned Owl and Western Screech-Owl primarily produce hoots, whistles, or trills relatively than melodic songs. Whereas not “songs” within the conventional sense, their calls are important for communication and territorial protection.

Are night-singing birds simpler to listen to in cities or rural areas?

Each environments supply alternatives, however metropolis birds just like the American Robin and Track Sparrow are sometimes extra noticeable at evening attributable to synthetic lights and lowered daytime noise. In rural areas, owls, poorwills, and nighthawks usually tend to be heard.

What time of yr do birds most frequently sing at evening in California?

Evening singing is most typical through the spring and summer time breeding seasons, when males are most vocal in attracting mates. Migration intervals in spring and fall may also convey nocturnal calls from sparrows and different species.

Can listening to birds at evening assist with identification?

Sure. Every species has distinct patterns, pitches, and rhythms. For instance, the repetitive whistles of the Northern Noticed-whet Owl are very totally different from the cruel squawks of a Black-crowned Evening-Heron. Birders usually use sound to determine species which can be laborious to see at nighttime.