East Tennessee is home to a diverse range of bird species that fill the forests and fields with beautiful songs and calls. While most birds are active during the day, there are a few nocturnal species that sing at night in this region. Identifying night-singing birds by sound alone can be challenging, but with some knowledge of their vocalizations and habitat, you can learn to recognize these elusive after-dark avians.
Overview of Night-Singing Birds in East Tennessee
Here are some of the birds that sing at night in East Tennessee:
Eastern Whip-poor-will
The Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) is the most common night-singing bird heard in East Tennessee. These nocturnal birds are named for their distinctive “whip-poor-will” call that resonates through the forests after dark. The first “whip” is loud and accented, while the second “poor-will” is softer. They repeat this call in a series throughout the night during breeding season.
Whip-poor-wills nest on the ground in wooded areas and feed on insects they catch while flying. They are well-camouflaged with mottled brown, black and grey plumage. During the day, they roost motionless on the forest floor.
Chuck-will’s-widow
The Chuck-will’s-widow (Antrostomus carolinensis) is another nightjar species that vocalizes after dusk in East Tennessee. It makes a “chuck-will’s-widow” call that is similar to the whip-poor-will but without the first “whip” part.
These nocturnal insectivores prefer more open woodlands than the whip-poor-will. Their plumage is grey, brown and black with intricate patterning that helps them blend into tree bark and leaves during daytime roosting.
Barred Owl
While not strictly nocturnal, Barred Owls (Strix varia) do vocalize into the night with their distinctive call: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” The deep, hooting calls ring through hardwood forests as these owls establish territories and communicate with mates.
Barred Owls perch high in trees and swoop down to catch small mammals, birds and amphibians at night. They have round heads without ear tufts and dark eyes. Their plumage is brown and white with vertical barring on the chest and horizontal barring on the belly.
Eastern Screech Owl
The Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) is a small owl that inhabits wooded areas of East Tennessee. Despite its name, its most common vocalization is a wailing, trembling whinny instead of a screech. These owls also make a soft, low-pitched hooting at night.
Eastern Screech Owls have prominent ear tufts, yellow eyes and mottled grey-brown plumage. They forage for insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians during the night.
When and Where to Listen for Night-Singing Birds
The best time to hear nocturnal birds is during breeding season, from spring through early summer, when males are singing to attract mates and defend territories. Late spring is peak singing time for species like the whip-poor-will.
Go outside about an hour after sunset and listen for night bird calls in their preferred habitats:
- Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-will’s-widows – open deciduous forests with clearings, pine woods, hillsides.
- Barred Owls – mature hardwood forests, especially near water.
- Eastern Screech Owls – along wooded creeks, in parks, suburban woodlots.
Streamsides and forest edges are good places for night birds. Moonlit nights when prey is more active tend to be more vocal as well.
Tips for Identifying Night-Singing Birds by Ear
Trying to identify nocturnal species by ear alone can be tricky. Here are some tips:
- Get familiar with their primary vocalizations by listening to recordings when you can see the species.
- Note the rhythm and pitch of calls. Whip-poor-will calls have an accented first “whip!” Barred Owls vocalize in a rhythmic series of hoots.
- Listen for differences in speed, pronunciation and accenting. A Chuck-will’s-widow’s call lacks the first “whip!” of a whip-poor-will.
- Pay attention to habitat – is it open woods or dense forest? Near water?
- With practice, you can distinguish between screech owl and whip-poor-will tremolo calls.
Apps like Merlin Bird ID can help identify night singers by location and vocalizations if you don’t have luck on your own. But with diligent listening, you can learn to identify eastern night birds by ear.
Night Vision and Hearing Adaptations
Night-singing birds have excellent low-light vision and keen hearing that enables them to communicate and hunt effectively after dark. Here are some of their key adaptations:
- Large, forward-facing eyes – Owls have some of the largest eyes relative to their body size of any animal, maximizing light intake.
- Light-sensitive retina – The retina has a high concentration of rods, which function in low-light versus cones for color vision.
- Reflective eye tissue – A reflective tissue called the tapetum lucidum behind the retina bounces light back through it, enhancing low-light vision.
- Asymmetrical ear placement – Owls have one ear higher than the other to better pinpoint sound sources.
- Facial discs – Concave discs of stiff feathers on owls’ faces help channel sound waves to their ears.
- Soft edges on flight feathers – This muffles the sound of their wings to allow silent flight.
Thanks to these incredible adaptations, nocturnal birds like whip-poor-wills and owls thrive as night-time hunters and vocalists.
Nocturnal Behavior and Sleep Patterns
Birds that are active at night have evolved to sleep during the day. Here are some facts about their nocturnal habits and sleep:
- They enter a deep, energy-saving sleep during daylight hours.
- Their body temperature drops and heart rate slows while roosting/sleeping.
- They can sleep with half their brain at a time – keeping one eye open to watch for threats.
- They may take short daytime naps or rest while digesting food from night foraging.
- Light triggers hormones that set their circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles.
- Night birds have internal clocks and melatonin levels attuned to being awake after sunset.
This carefully orchestrated system of daytime rest and nighttime activity maximizes these birds’ ability to thrive around the clock.
Threats Facing Night-Singing Birds
Many nocturnal bird species like the Eastern Whip-poor-will are declining across their ranges. Some key threats include:
- Habitat loss – Clearing of forests and natural areas reduces nesting and roosting sites.
- Increased night lighting – Artificial light pollution disrupts foraging and sleep cycles.
- Pesticides – Chemicals reduce insect prey abundance and may accumulate in birds.
- Vehicle collisions – Night birds are drawn to roads where insects congregate.
- Climate change – Phenology mismatches with prey and migration timing.
Protecting large swaths of undisturbed forest, reducing unnecessary lighting, and providing corridors between habitat patches could benefit these species.
Fun Facts About Night Singers
Here are some fascinating tidbits about East Tennessee’s night-singing birds:
- Whip-poor-wills can gulp down insects mid-flight, even opening their mouths extra wide to snag more bugs!
- Chuck-will’s-widows have stiff bristles around their mouths to help capture and manipulate insect prey.
- Eastern Screech Owls have been known to dive bomb humans who get too close to their nests!
- Barred Owls are one of the few North American birds to live in family groups – parents with their young of the year.
- Birds have rapid eye movement (REM) sleep each night just like humans.
- The phrase “whip-poor-will” is used in folk songs like “Billy Boy” to evoke nighttime wilderness.
Nature comes alive with the unmistakable sounds of these vocal night owls and songbirds. Paying attention to their rhythmic calls is a fun way to identify and appreciate the birds that sing when most of the world is asleep.
Conclusion
The forests and fields of East Tennessee echo after dark with the lively songs of nocturnal birds like the whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s-widow, Eastern Screech Owl, and Barred Owl. These species are equipped with specialized adaptations to thrive as night-time vocalists and predators. While many night-singing birds are declining, we can help protect them by conserving habitat, reducing artificial lights, and appreciating their haunting nocturnal calls as part of the wonder of nature after sunset. Listening for these elusive birds is a magical way to connect with the living night.