There are a few birds that are known to make noise at night in Southern California. The most common night-calling birds include the Common Poorwill, Northern Mockingbird, and Great Horned Owl. These species all have unique vocalizations that can be heard after dark in both urban and rural areas. Understanding which birds make noise at night can help birders and nature enthusiasts identify the species by ear.
Common Poorwill
The Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) is a nightjar species that is well-known for its loud, repetitive calling song heard on summer nights. Poorwills get their name from the “poor-will” or “poor-will’s-widow” sound of their call. It is a two-note repeating whistle or purring trill that carries far on still evenings.
Poorwills are found in arid and open habitats across the southwest United States and down into Mexico. In Southern California, they can be found in deserts, dry canyons, and scrubby foothills from sea level up to around 5,500 feet in elevation.
These nocturnal birds spend the day camouflaged on the ground, blending in with leaves and rocks. At dusk, they take to the wing and become vocal through the night. The poorwill call ramps up after dark and can continue for hours before quieting down around midnight. A single male may call several hundred times an hour! The purpose of the repetitive poorwill song is to mark territory and attract a mate.
So if you hear a rhythmic, steadily-paced poor-will or poor-will’s-widow call while camping or spending time outdoors in Southern California, you can be sure it is a Common Poorwill!
Range and Habitat
Common Poorwills range across much of the western and southwestern United States into Mexico. Their breeding habitat extends west from Nebraska to coastal California and south into central Mexico. They winter in southeastern California, southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and south into Mexico.
In Southern California, they can be found in a variety of arid, open habitats below 5,500 feet including:
- Deserts – Mojave, Colorado, Sonoran
- Chaparral
- Scrublands
- Open pine-oak woodlands
- Rocky canyons
- Grasslands
Poorwills require areas with bare ground or very sparse vegetation for nesting and resting during the day. They favor habitats with rocks, gravel, and low shrubs. Developed areas are generally avoided.
Identification
Common Poorwills are medium-sized nightjars about 8-9 inches in length with a 20-inch wingspan and plump body shape. They have short tails, small heads, and very short bills with a wide gape. Their mottled black, brown, and gray plumage provides excellent camouflage when roosting. Distinctive field marks include:
- Broad white patch on the underside of the tail
- White patches on the tips of the outer tail feathers
- Pale crescent below the eye
- Soft, blurry brown and black markings overall
In flight, poorwills display pointed wings and rapid, stiff wingbeats interspersed with quick glides.
Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is known for its mimicking songs and tendency to sing at night. This medium-sized songbird with gray and white plumage is common across much of North America and is the state bird of multiple southern states.
In Southern California, mockingbirds can be found year-round in urban areas, forests, deserts, and thickets. While they sing during the day, Northern Mockingbirds also commonly sing at night during the breeding season and even in winter months. Their nighttime vocalizations are usually more simplistic than daytime songs. However, single notes, rhythmical motifs, whistles, and other sounds can be heard repeating over and over through the night.
Both male and female mockingbirds sing nightly while defending territory or trying to attract a mate. In residential areas, outdoor lights and human activity may also stimulate night calling. Night singing typically occurs between midnight to dawn, but can begin earlier in the breeding season.
So if you hear melodious phrases, whistles, chattering, or repetition of notes coming from darkness, chances are it is a Northern Mockingbird serenading the night away.
Range and Habitat
The Northern Mockingbird can be found year-round across much of the southern half of the United States. Its range stretches from southern Oregon and Washington south to Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts.
In Southern California, mockingbirds occupy a variety of habitats at lower elevations including:
- Urban areas
- Forest edges
- Open woodlands
- Thickets
- Shrublands
- Desert scrub
They commonly reside near buildings, fences, and other manmade structures that can serve as singing perches.
Identification
Northern Mockingbirds are medium-sized songbirds about 8.5-10.5 inches in length. They have long tails and wings and a slender bill. Mockingbirds have predominantly gray plumage with white underparts and white patches on the wings visible in flight. Distinctive features include:
- Gray upperparts
- Two white wingbars
- White underside and eyestripe
- Dark cap and eyes
- Long tail
- Lean body
When singing at night, mockingbirds can be identified by their variety of songs and calls made up of short phrases, repetition, whistles, chatter, squeaks, and mimicked sounds.
Great Horned Owl
The deep, resonant hooting often heard at night across the American West is none other than the Great Horned Owl. These large, powerful owls have a distinctive vocalization that has earned them the nickname “hoot owl.” Males begin hooting in late winter to establish territories and attract mates. The low, booming hoots travel far through the night air.
Great Horned Owls are year-round residents of Southern California found in many habitat types below 8,000 feet. Though most active at night, Great Horned Owls will also call and even hunt during the day. Their early breeding season means eggs are laid in late winter when calls and responses between paired owls are frequently heard.
So if you hear a deep, rumbling solo hoot or a conversational duet of 5-6 hoots while camped in the California wilderness, listen for the Great Horned Owl!
Range and Habitat
Great Horned Owls have the most extensive range of any owl in the Americas. They can be found from Alaska and Canada through all of the United States down into South America.
Within their widespread range, Great Horned Owls occupy a variety of habitat types including:
- Forests
- Swamps
- Deserts
- Backyards
- City parks
- Rural areas
In Southern California, they occur in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, chaparral foothills, urban areas, and forested mountain ranges below about 8,000 feet.
Identification
The Great Horned Owl is one of the largest North American owls, with a height up to 22 inches and wingspan around 40-60 inches. Distinctive identification features include:
- Large size, upright ear tufts
- Stout, barrel-shaped body
- Reddish, brown, or gray upperparts with mottling
- White throat patch
- Powerful talons
- Yellow eyes
When calling, the male’s resonant series of 3-6 deep hoots can be heard up to a mile away. Females make higher pitched hoots. The duetting pair trades off hoots that can speed up as the male approaches the female.
Other Nocturnal Birds
In addition to the Common Poorwill, Northern Mockingbird, and Great Horned Owl, there are a few other nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dawn/dusk) bird species to listen and watch for in Southern California:
Western Screech-Owl
This small owl makes a haunting, trembling whistle call of 5-7 notes. They are found in wooded areas and occasionally suburban neighborhoods.
Barn Owl
A medium-sized owl with a distinctive raspy shriek call. Barn Owls inhabit fields, grasslands, and agricultural areas.
Long-eared Owl
A slim, small-headed owl whose fluttering wingbeats make a soft whooshing sound in flight. They have low-pitched hoots.
Short-eared Owl
Found in open country and grasslands. They have a barking call and buoyant flight.
Common Nighthawk
A cryptically colored nightjar known for its peent call and acrobatic aerial displays at dusk.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
These stocky herons nest in colonies and forage at night with deep, hoarse croaks.
Spotted Owlet
The small, spotted owlet has a screechy begging call made by young birds.
Greater Roadrunner
This long-tailed bird of chaparrral and desertScrub has a rapid series of staccato clucks and coos.
Species | Vocalization | Where Found |
---|---|---|
Common Poorwill | Repetitive poor-will or poor-will’s-widow call | Deserts, canyons, scrublands |
Northern Mockingbird | Songs and phrases, repetition, whistles, chatter | Urban areas, thickets, open woodlands |
Great Horned Owl | Low hooting: deep, booming hoots | Many habitats below 8000 feet |
Western Screech-Owl | Bouncing, trembling whistle | Wooded areas |
Barn Owl | Harsh raspy shriek | Grasslands, agricultural areas |
Long-eared Owl | Low, soft hoots | Woodlands |
Short-eared Owl | Barking call | Open country, grasslands |
Common Nighthawk | Peent call | Urban areas, deserts, forests |
Black-crowned Night-Heron | Deep croaks | Marshes, lakes, streams |
Spotted Owlet | Screechy begging calls | Chaparral, wooded canyons |
Greater Roadrunner | Rapid clucks and coos | Desert scrub, chaparral |
Conclusion
Southern California is home to a diversity of bird species that can be detected by their sounds at night. Being able to identify the wild nighttime calls of Common Poorwills, Northern Mockingbirds, Great Horned Owls, and other species adds an exciting new dimension to birdwatching adventures. Whether camping in the desert, sitting on the back patio, or lying in bed near an open window, tune your ears to the nocturnal world of birds!