Bird Vocalization
Posted by Cheryl Weiss on April 28, 2008
Q: I know birds vocalize at sunrise or shortly before, but birds in my neighborhood in Philadelphia are starting around 12:30 am. What could be causing this?
Thank you.
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Pennsylvania
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: Since I don't have any details of the kind of bird vocalizations, I can't be sure but I suspect that you're hearing a Northern Mockingbird. Typically, this mockingbird sings well into the evening and an hour or so before sunrise during the breeding season. But I've heard these birds sing during the middle of the night myself, as you've described, in the vicinity of a street light. The Northern Mockingbird incorporates the songs of other birds into its own song so I'm wondering if this is what you're hearing - a mix of different bird songs? I have a website with the vocalization of a Northern Mockingbird on it but it won't be YOUR bird so it won't sound exactly the same. Give it a try and see if it seems "similar" at www.learnbirdsongs.com
Hope this helps you out and thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( April 29, 2008)