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The vast majority of birds are diurnal, which means they are active at night and sleep during the day. On the other hand, nocturnal birds stay awake at night to hunt, fly, and socialize. It is estimated that over 70% of birds are diurnal and the remaining 30% are nocturnal. Nocturnal birds come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and locations, and live in many different environments. You can find them all over the world and in a wide variety of habitats. While the vast majority hunt for prey, some also forage for vegetation at night. In addition, those that breed in colonies can sing songs to each other until early morning. If you stay up late, you could potentially see one of these nocturnal birds in flight. However, which birds fly at night?
In this article, we will discuss 6 different groups of nocturnal birds. We will find out where these birds can be found, what makes them unique and why they remain active at night. So, the next time you stay up late, you may have the opportunity to spot one of these late-night flyers. So, get ready to take off as we take a look at 6 birds that fly at night.
# 6: Petrel
In the order Procellariiformes, petrels belong to four different families. Groups in each family include petrels, divers, fulmarines and gadflies, as well as prions, petrels, and albatrosses. Also known as tubenosis due to tubular nostrils, petrels live and hunt in the open ocean. In fact, they only return to land to breed, which they do mostly on coasts and small isolated islands. While some species only fly during the day, some are among the birds that fly at night. For example, in summer, petrels hunt crustaceans, fish and squid at night. Hunting at night means not only finding food, but also keeping petrels away from large predators. Back in their colonies, petrels call each other from safe nests at night. These screams can be part of courtship rituals or other social functions.
# 5: the nightjar
The term nightjar refers to a group of 79 birds that fly at night or at dusk. The nightjar also belongs to an additional 10 species, which in America are better known as nightjars. With the exception of Antarctica and some inhospitable islands and habitats, nightjars can be found all over the world. They prefer to live in meadows with intermediate soil cover, as they usually build their nests on the ground. On average, most nightjars have short legs and beaks, but long wings and dark mottled plumage. Unlike most birds that perch on the top of a branch, some nightjars perch on a branch. This tactic helps hide them from predators during the day. Nightjars become active at night and at dusk and go hunting insects, their main prey. They hunt by sight and can catch insects in the air, making their night flights even more spectacular.
# 4: Assassin
The killer deer is a species of plover that is commonly found in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It gets its name from the distinctive, high-pitched vocalizations it produces, which can sometimes sound like the words “kill a deer.” They have a unique plumage consisting of a brown back, white belly and two black stripes on the chest. Killer deer live in different environments depending on the season. Technically, killer deer do not necessarily spend all their time near the water while roaming the birds. For example, although they often inhabit wetlands, they build nests for cleaning in open fields during the breeding season. However, during the non-breeding season, you may see the killer alongside other birds flying at night. They become active at night when they do not breed to hunt insects and collect fruits and seeds. When hunting at night, they also benefit from additional protection from predators.
# 3: night heron
Night herons are the name given to a group of seven existing medium-sized heron species that fly at night. Although the term is sometimes used to refer to all birds, it can also refer to the black-crowned night heron. Depending on the species, you can find them everywhere, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Most night herons have short necks and legs and dark gray or brown plumage. The species are medium in size, with most ranging in length from 22 to 25 inches. When not feeding, they often rest in platform nests on the ground or in trees. At night, they become more active, going on a hunt for food. Their diet mainly consists of fish, crustaceans, frogs and insects. To catch their prey, they stand still at the water’s edge and then ambush an unsuspecting target.
# 2: mockingbird
The Mockingbird gets its name from the habit of imitating the vocalizations of certain birds, insects, and other animals. There are 17 species of mockingbird in total, although the northern mockingbird is the only one commonly found in the United States. On average, they are 7 to 11 inches long and have dark gray, brown, or blue plumage. Northern mockingbirds primarily feed on insects, although they also eat fruit in winter. Like songbirds, mockingbirds can sing during the day and all night. Usually, only non-mating males sing late at night, and they do this to try to find a mate for themselves. Sometimes you can hear these little birds flying at night, if you listen carefully to their changing voices. Over the course of their lives, some mockingbirds can learn to imitate up to 200 separate sounds. This ability makes them closest to nature’s little tape recorders.
# 1: Owl
Perhaps the most famous night flying bird, owls belong to two families that include over 200 species. You can divide owls into true owls, or Strigidae, and barn owls, or Tytonidae. Owls live on all
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ontinents of the Earth except Antarctica and live in a wide variety of habitats. Mostly solitary, some owls live in groups called parliament. Most owls are erect, with broad heads, keen hearing and vision, and sharp claws. Almost all owls hunt at night and eat a variety of foods, including insects, small mammals, birds, and some fish. They have feathers that make them adapted to fly silently, which helps them lure prey into an ambush. In addition, many owls emit unique vocalizations that can be heard late into the night. Their characteristic “hooting” serves as a warning to potential intruders or predators, or serves to communicate between comrades.
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