| MadSci Network: Zoology |
Adrienne, Many species of birds use their songs to attract perspective mates. The instinctual drive to this end sometimes overrides the usual night/day agenda. Early June, the time you observed this, is the onset of mating season for several birds. Typically, in order to get a jump on the competition, a bird will sing from the crack of dawn well into twilight. But if the moon is shining or there is a nearby street lamp, some birds (in particular, the Mockingbird) will sing all night long. Mockers also use their songs to mark territory. Mockingbirds imitate other birds. and can have a repertoire that includes dozens of calls. Their uncanny recreation of songs often include Robins, Jays, Gulls, Sparrows, and sometimes even the squeal of car brakes. I would hazard a guess that many, if not all, of the calls you were hearing were being generated by Mockers. To learn more about Mockingbirds, follow this link: http://www.birdsforever.com/mock.html As the season progresses and the birds get down to the business of raising young, the night songs subside and we can all finally get some sleep without closing the windows. I hope this helps to answer your question. Steven Williams biodswill@prodigy
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