There are several species of birds in the UK that are known for being vocal at night. Owls are perhaps the most iconic nocturnal birds, known for their eerie hoots and screeches. But there are also other birds like woodcocks, nightjars, and snipe that are active after dark and make distinctive noises. Night birds play an important role in ecosystems by helping to control rodent and insect populations. Their calls can be mysterious and intriguing to hear in the darkness. In this article, we will explore some of the UK’s most common nocturnal birds and the sounds they make.
Owls
Owls are masters of the night, using their exceptional hearing and vision to hunt in darkness. There are five species of owls commonly found in the UK:
Tawny Owl
The tawny owl is perhaps the owl species most closely associated with night-time hoots. Its low, whistling “hoo-hoo-hoo” call is a familiar sound in woodlands across the UK. Tawny owls are medium-sized with brown feathers and dark eyes. They nest in tree cavities and hunt small mammals like mice, voles, and rabbits.
Barn Owl
With its distinctive heart-shaped white face, the barn owl is a striking bird. Its eerie screeching and hissing sounds have earned it the nickname “screech owl.” Barn owls are found in the countryside, where they nest in barns and hunt over grasslands.
Little Owl
The little owl is the UK’s smallest breeding owl, introduced from Europe in the 19th century. Its twit-twoo call is a two-note hoot that rises and falls in pitch. Little owls can be found in parklands, gardens, and agricultural areas.
Long-eared Owl
As the name suggests, long-eared owls have prominent ear tufts. Their hoots are a low “hoo-hoo-hooo” sound. These owls are found in woodlands across Britain.
Short-eared Owl
The short-eared owl makes a barking “wak-wak” sound. These owls are found hunting over moors and grasslands. They have small ear tufts that are often not visible.
Woodcocks
The woodcock is a cryptic wading bird that probes in damp soil for worms and insects with its long bill. In early spring, male woodcocks perform ‘roding’ display flights at dusk, flying over woodlands while making a distinctive, buzzing “tzick” call. This strange buzzing sound can be heard from woodlands on spring evenings.
Nightjars
Nightjars are nocturnal birds that nest on the ground in open woodlands and heaths. At night they hunt moths and other insects on the wing, opening their wide mouths to scoop up prey. Male nightjars defend territories and attract mates with their unique, rhythmic churring song. There are two nightjar species in Britain:
European Nightjar
The European nightjar, also known as the nightjar, makes a continuous pulsing, vibrating sound typically described as “churring.” This soun can last up to 10 minutes with 1,200 pulses per second! Their call has been likened to the sound of an engine or motorbike.
Stone Curlews
The stone curlew, also known as the thick-knee, makes a loud, ringing “cur-lee” call which gives this species its name. Stone curlews nest on open ground and are most active at night. Their calls can be heard across grasslands and moors on spring and summer evenings.
Snipe
The cryptically patterned common snipe inhabits marshes and wet meadows. During mating displays, male snipe make a distinctive, pulsing cry as they plummet rapidly back to earth. This sound, known as ‘drumming’ because it resembles the sound of a small drum, can be heard on spring and summer evenings in wetland areas.
Other Nocturnal Bird Sounds
In addition to the major night-calling species above, there are some other UK birds that may vocalize nocturnally on occasion:
- Pheasants – Make a loud squawking and screeching sound
- Crows – Give a croaking “caw” call
- Seagulls – Make squalling calls around urban nesting sites
- Wood Pigeon – Coos repetitively through the night
So although owls may be the quintessential night birds, there are a diverse array of avian species that chirp, squawk, buzz, and hoot after dark in the British landscape. Listening for these nocturnal calls can add a sense of wild mystery and wonder to summer and spring nights.
When and Where to Hear Nocturnal Bird Sounds in the UK
The best times and locations to hear nocturnal birds in the UK include:
- Woodlands from late winter to early summer to hear tawny owls, long-eared owls, and nightjars
- Farmland, meadows, and wetlands in early spring for woodcock roding
- Moors and heathland from spring through summer for nightjars
- Open marshes and wet grasslands during spring and summer evenings for drumming snipe
- Country barns year-round for barn owls
- Parks, gardens, and agricultural areas year-round for little owls
Night birds tend to call more frequently during mating and nesting seasons. Conditions like full moons or mild, calm weather can also spur increased nocturnal activity. Going out near dusk and listening quietly in likely habitats will offer the best chances of hearing these eerie and mesmerizing nighttime sounds.
Why Birds Call at Night
Birds vocalize at night for several important reasons related to their breeding activities and survival:
- Defending Territory – Male night birds sing to mark and defend their nesting areas from rival males.
- Attracting Mates – Songs advertise a male’s fitness. Females are drawn to superior males based on song quality.
- Social Communication – Calls maintain contact and coordinate activity between paired birds.
- Predator Avoidance – Some sounds may be alarm calls warning of danger from nocturnal predators.
- Disorientation – Calls may help night birds navigate and avoid obstacles in darkness.
Understanding the reasons behind nighttime vocalizations provides insight into avian behavior and biology. It also allows us to appreciate how these sounds have evolved to support essential processes like territoriality, mating, and predation avoidance under cover of darkness.
The Role of Night Birds in the Ecosystem
Nocturnal birds fill an important niche in ecosystems by hunting prey active at night. Owls in particular help regulate populations of small mammals like rodents. Nightjars, woodcocks and snipe consume vast amounts of insects, including many moth and beetle pests. By limiting prey numbers, night birds have cascading effects throughout food chains and aid in maintaining healthy ecological balances.
Some additional roles served by night birds include:
- Pellets regurgitated by owls contain undigested bones and fur which provide nutrients to the soil.
- Cavities created by owls offer future nest sites for other species.
- Bird droppings deposit nitrogen and phosphorus compounds into habitats.
- Scavenging owls and corvids help break down animal remains.
- Dispersing seeds and fungi spores contributes to forest regeneration.
So while rarely seen, the influence of nocturnal birds extends far beyond their iconic nighttime vocalizations. Their unique biological adaptations allow them to take advantage of underused dark hours. Maintaining habitats that support night birds is key to preserving healthy, functioning ecosystems.
Threats Facing Night Birds in the UK
Though essential contributors to ecological processes, many British night bird species have unfortunately experienced population declines. Some major threats facing nocturnal birds include:
- Habitat loss – Development, agriculture, and forestry practices reduce suitable nesting and feeding areas.
- Pesticides – Chemicals accumulate in the food chain, harming raptors like owls.
- Climate change – Weather shifts can reduce prey availability.
- Pollution – Excess artificial light and noise disrupt natural rhythms.
- Vehicle collisions – Roads bisect nesting territories, increasing fatalities.
Conserving existing habitat buffers and connecting fragmented areas through corridors would benefit night birds. Reducing pesticide usage, light pollution, and noise in key habitats may also limit disturbance. Continued monitoring of population trends is needed to identify species most at risk. Maintaining healthy night bird communities ensures important ecosystem services continue benefiting the UK’s wildlife and people.
Conclusion
The eerie calls of owls, nightjars, woodcocks, and other nocturnal birds provide an evocative part of the British soundscape. These species play vital ecological roles in controlling prey and regenerating habitats at night. However, many night bird populations currently face worrisome declines driven by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and other threats. Protecting habitats from excessive development and disturbance will be key to preserving vulnerable night bird species in the UK. As iconic parts of British biodiversity, taking actions to maintain healthy night bird communities will allow their fascinating after-dark antics and vocalizations to continue intriguing nature enthusiasts across the country.