There are a few different birds that are known for making chattering or chirping sounds at night. Some of the most likely culprits include nightjars, nighthawks, owls, katydids, and frogs. Determining exactly which bird is making the sounds can be tricky, but looking at the type of sound, location, season, and time of night when the sounds occur can help identify the species.
What Types of Birds Make Chattering Sounds at Night?
Here are some of the birds that are known for their vocalizations after dark:
Nightjars
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds found worldwide. There are over 80 species of nightjars, including nighthawks, whip-poor-wills, and chuck-will’s-widows. These birds are named for their loud, repetitive chattering sounds made at night during the breeding season. The sounds are made by males attracting mates and establishing territories. Different nightjar species make different sounds like “chuck-will’s-widow”, “whip poor will”, or a continuous chattering trill. Nightjars nest on the ground and feed on insects caught in flight at dusk or night.
Nighthawks
Nighthawks are nightjars found throughout North and South America. The most common species in North America is the common nighthawk. At night during the summer breeding season, these birds emit a loud “peent” call as they dive through the air to attract mates. The males can make this sound hundreds of times through the night in quick succession. Nighthawks nest on bare ground and migrate south for winter.
Whip-poor-wills
The Eastern whip-poor-will is a nightjar species found in woodlands of eastern North America. As the name suggests, these birds make a distinct “whip-poor-will” sound repeatedly through the night during summer. The first “whip” is loud and accented, while the second “poor-will” is a softer echo. These repetitive calls can continue for hours after dusk when the birds are breeding. Whip-poor-wills nest on the ground in forests and feed on night-flying insects.
Chuck-will’s-widow
Chuck-will’s-widows are large nightjars found in the southeastern United States. They are named for their unique vocalization that sounds like “chuck-will’s-widow” made repeatedly at night during summer. The first “chuck” note is loud and clear, while the second part “will’s-widow” is a quieter, raspy echo. These birds breed in forests, scrublands, and swamps.
Owls
Some owl species are also known for making chattering or chirping sounds at night, particularly during breeding season. Barn owls and eastern screech owls both make a repetitive, jabbering call when defending nest sites or attracting mates. The barred owl makes a distinctive “who cooks for you” hooting sound. Young owls may make begging calls to their parents that can sound like chirping or whistling.
Insects
In addition to birds, there are some nocturnal insects that can produce sounds at night that resemble chattering or chirping:
- Katydids – These bush crickets make a repetitive “katy did, katy didn’t” mating call that resonates through the night in summer and early fall.
- Cicadas – Some cicada species emerge as adults in summer and make loud, buzzing chirps at night.
- Crickets – Crickets are well-known for their continuous chirping after dark, communicating with mates and defending territories.
Frogs
Certain frogs and toads will make loud, repetitive croaking and chirping noises at night when they are calling for mates during breeding season. Spring peepers, tree frogs, and chorus frogs are examples of frogs that vocalize with a chattering sound after dark.
When and Where Would You Hear These Sounds?
The chattering night sounds made by various birds and insects occur during specific seasons and locations:
- Nightjars, nighthawks, and whip-poor-wills make sounds from late spring through summer during the breeding season.
- Owls make territorial vocalizations year-round, but calls increase during the nesting season.
- Katydids and cicadas chatter most frequently in mid-summer.
- Frogs call when breeding in rainy spring and early summer seasons.
- Crickets and katydids occur in grasslands, forests, and wetlands in rural areas.
- Nightjars prefer open woodlands and dry habitats like chaparral or sagebrush.
- Whip-poor-wills and chuck-will’s-widows call in forests and swamplands.
- Owls vocalize in forests, deserts, and open habitats near nest sites.
- Cicadas occur in mature trees during the day and may call from treetops at night.
- Frogs call near water sources like wetlands, ponds, puddles, and streams.
Paying attention to the location, season, and type of sound can help correctly identify the nighttime chatterer.
Common Night Chatter Call Descriptions
Here are descriptions of the typical vocalizations for birds and insects that make chattering night noises:
Nightjars
- Common Nighthawk – Loud, repetitive “peent” call
- Whip-poor-will – Whistled “whip-poor-will” call repeating quickly
- Chuck-will’s-widow – Raspy “chuck-will’s-widow” call
- Common Poorwill – Softer “poor-will” call
- Nightjars – Continuous buzzing trill or rattling sounds
Owls
- Barn Owl – Harsh screeching and twittering
- Barred Owl – Distinct “Who cooks for you” hooting
- Eastern Screech Owl – Whinnying trill or bouncing, chattering song
- Great Horned Owl – Rhythmic hooting
- Young Owls – High-pitched chirping or squealing
Insects
- Katydids – Buzzing “katy did, katy didn’t”
- Cicadas – High-pitched, buzzing chirps
- Crickets – Constant chirping or trilling
Frogs
- Spring Peeper – High-pitched peeping
- Tree frogs – Trilled or rattling calls
- Green Frog – Deep guttural calls
- Chorus Frogs – Raspy, buzzing squeaks
How to Identify the Night Chatterer
Follow these tips to help identify the source of mystery chattering at night:
- Note if the sound rises and falls or remains steady.
- Determine if it is a single sound repeating or a complex pattern.
- Listen for additional clues like wing beats, snapping sounds, or croaks mixed in.
- Track the location of the sound as it occurs.
- Identify if it is coming from a perched bird or ground level.
- Consider the habitat – wetland, forest, grassland, open woodland?
- Note the season and weather conditions.
- Search for visual confirmation in the daytime.
- Compare recordings to known species vocalizations.
With close listening and observation skills, the night chatterer can be identified!
Conclusion
Chattering and chirping sounds at night come from a variety of birds, insects, and frogs. Nightjars, whip-poor-wills, owls, katydids, and tree frogs are just some examples of nocturnal noisemakers. Paying attention to the sound qualities, location, season, and behavior can help determine which species is responsible for the nighttime vocalizations. With some sleuthing, the identity of the mysterious chatter can be solved!