12 Birds That Sing at Night in California

Have you ever sat outside on a warm California night and heard birds singing in the dark? While most birds tuck in at sunset, some fill the nighttime air with unexpected music. From the sharp, clever melodies of the Northern Mockingbird to the haunting calls of owls echoing through wooded canyons, these Birds That Sing at Night in California create a mysterious and magical soundtrack. Their nighttime choruses are more common than you might think—especially in the Golden State.

California’s mild climate, urban lighting, and diverse habitats make it a hotspot for nocturnal bird activity. Whether you’re hearing songs in your backyard, a local park, or along the coast, there’s a good chance you’re not alone—birds are talking too.

In this guide, we’ll explore which birds sing at night in California, why they do it, where to find them, and how to identify their calls. Get ready to uncover the secret life of California’s night-time songbirds!

Why Do Birds Sing at Night in California?

Birdsong is usually a sunrise ritual—but in California, several factors stir certain birds to sing after dark. Here’s why you might hear chirps, whistles, or hoots long after the sun has set:

1. Territory and Mating

Some birds, especially males, sing at night to mark their territory or attract a mate. The quiet of night helps their song travel farther without competing with daytime noise. For example, the Northern Mockingbird is known to sing all night during mating season—especially if he’s still looking for love.

2. Urban Light Pollution

Streetlights, porch lights, and city skylines can confuse birds into thinking it’s still daytime. This disruption of their internal clocks leads some species to sing at odd hours. Urban areas like Los Angeles or San Diego often have more night-singing birds than rural zones.

3. Migration and Restlessness

During migration seasons (spring and fall), birds may fly at night and pause to feed or rest. Some sing briefly during these nighttime stops, especially species like thrushes and warblers.

4. Communication and Alerting

Some owls and other nocturnal species sing or call to communicate with mates or warn intruders. Their haunting hoots or screeches are not just noise—they’re part of the bird’s survival system.

Northern Mockingbird

Appearance

The Northern Mockingbird is medium-sized with grey plumage, a pale chest, and distinct white patches on its wings that flash during flight. Its long tail and slender build give it a graceful silhouette even at night.

Habitat

Found across urban, suburban, and rural areas of California, mockingbirds thrive in neighborhoods, parks, open woodlands, and desert edges. They’re one of the most common backyard birds in the state.

Song

Mockingbirds are night-time superstars when it comes to song. Males often sing for hours after sunset, especially during spring. They’re known for their ability to mimic other birds, animals, and even mechanical sounds—sometimes stringing together over 200 unique phrases in one performance.

Behavior

These bold birds are territorial and will perch visibly on rooftops or fences while singing. A single mockingbird can sound like an entire chorus, thanks to its wide vocal range. They’re also active defenders of their nests and may chase away cats, hawks, or even people.

Breeding

Night singing peaks during the breeding season (March to August), especially when a male has not yet found a mate. Once paired, he sings less at night and focuses on guarding the nest.

Where to Find in California

You can hear mockingbirds singing at night in almost every part of the state—from downtown Los Angeles to quiet Central Valley towns and coastal suburbs.

Common Poorwill

Appearance

The Common Poorwill is a small, plump nightjar with cryptic brown, grey, and black mottled plumage that blends seamlessly into leaf litter or rocky ground. Its wide mouth and large eyes are built for nocturnal life.

Habitat

This elusive bird prefers dry, open habitats like chaparral, deserts, canyon edges, and grassy foothills. In California, you’ll find it in areas like the Sierra Nevada foothills, Mojave Desert, and coastal scrublands.

Song

At night, the poorwill gives a rhythmic and persistent “poor-will…poor-will…poor-will” call, which sounds haunting and distant. The call is soft but can travel far in the stillness of night, often repeated hundreds of times.

Behavior

Poorwills are strictly nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. They often sit motionless on the ground or roadways at dusk, feeding on moths and insects. Unique among birds, the Common Poorwill is capable of entering a hibernation-like state called torpor in cold weather.

Breeding

They lay their eggs directly on the ground with minimal nesting material. Their quiet, camouflaged lifestyle helps protect nests from predators.

Where to Find in California

Search rocky hillsides, desert slopes, or oak-covered foothills at night. Listen quietly and patiently—this bird is heard more often than seen.

Also Read : Red Robin vs Cardinal: Key Differences

Great Horned Owl

Appearance

The Great Horned Owl is one of California’s most iconic night birds. It’s large and powerful, with striking yellow eyes, mottled brown feathers, and prominent feather tufts resembling horns. Its barrel-shaped body and silent flight make it an efficient nocturnal predator.

Habitat

This adaptable owl can be found almost everywhere in California—from deep forests and deserts to suburban parks, farmland, and even city outskirts. It thrives in both rural and urban environments.

Song

Its deep, resonant “hoo-hoo hooooo hoo-hoo” call is unmistakable and often heard at nightfall or just before dawn. Males and females may duet during mating season, with the female’s voice slightly higher-pitched.

Behavior

The Great Horned Owl is mostly solitary and fiercely territorial. It hunts at night using incredible stealth, snatching rabbits, rodents, and even skunks with its strong talons. It’s known as the “tiger of the sky” due to its ferocity.

Breeding

Breeding begins early in the year—sometimes as soon as January. Pairs often reuse old hawk or crow nests. Vocalizations increase during courtship and egg-laying season.

Where to Find in California

Look or listen for them in woodlands, foothills, palm groves, city parks, and canyons. If you hear a soft hooting echoing through the night, there’s likely a Great Horned Owl nearby.

Also Read : 15 TYPES OF Black Birds in South Carolina

Western Screech-Owl

Appearance

The Western Screech-Owl is a small, stocky owl with a short tail, yellow eyes, and ear tufts that lie flat when relaxed. Its plumage is a mottled mix of gray or reddish-brown, offering perfect camouflage against tree bark.

Habitat

This owl favours wooded habitats across California—including oak woodlands, pine forests, suburban backyards, orchards, and desert canyons. It often roosts in natural tree cavities or nest boxes.

Song

Despite its name, it doesn’t screech. Instead, it gives off a series of soft, bouncing hoots or trills, like a ping-pong ball dropping in pitch. These calls are mostly heard after dark and can last several seconds.

Behavior

The Western Screech-Owl is strictly nocturnal and uses its excellent hearing and vision to hunt insects, rodents, and small birds. It flies low and silently, snatching prey from the ground or foliage. It’s often motionless by day, blending into tree trunks.

Breeding

Pairs form monogamous bonds, often reusing the same nest cavity for years. During breeding season, the male sings nightly to defend territory and attract a mate.

Where to Find in California

Listen for their trilling calls in residential areas, canyon woodlands, riparian zones, and coastal forests, especially from March to June.

Also Read : 15 Types of Small Birds in Northern California 

Barn Owl

Appearance

The Barn Owl is instantly recognisable by its heart-shaped white face, pale underparts, and golden-buff wings and back. Its dark, soulful eyes and long legs give it a ghostly look in low light—fitting for a bird that haunts the night.

Habitat

Barn Owls are widespread throughout California. They nest in barns, old buildings, church steeples, palm trees, and cliffs, and forage over fields, grasslands, orchards, and marshes. They’re especially common in agricultural regions and coastal valleys.

Song

Rather than hooting, Barn Owls emit an eerie, drawn-out screech—a harsh, raspy “shreeee” that can sound chilling at night. They also hiss or click during courtship or when defending territory.

Behavior

Silent and stealthy, Barn Owls are superb nocturnal hunters, using keen hearing to track small mammals in total darkness. They fly low over open ground, striking without warning. Unlike other owls, they are mostly non-vocal except during the breeding season.

Breeding

Barn Owls breed in spring and may raise two broods in warmer California regions. They often use nest boxes or cavities in man-made structures. Young owlets hiss and screech loudly when begging for food.

Where to Find in California

Spot them in Central Valley farms, Southern California suburbs, San Francisco Bay wetlands, and even abandoned buildings. Night-time screeches near farmland usually mean a Barn Owl is nearby.

Also Read : 16 Types of Brown Birds in California

Yellow-breasted Chat

Appearance

The Yellow-breasted Chat is a large, chunky warbler with a striking bright yellow chest, olive-green back, white belly, and bold white markings around the eyes. Its size and appearance can confuse birders expecting a smaller warbler.

Habitat

In California, chats prefer dense thickets, riparian scrub, willow groves, and overgrown areas near streams. They’re commonly found in coastal valleys, Sierra foothills, and Central Valley riparian zones during spring and summer.

Song

Unusual for a warbler, the chat sings at night, especially during mating season. Its voice is a chaotic mix of whistles, cackles, gurgles, and clucks, often delivered from a hidden perch or in flight. The song can resemble a medley of different bird species and even mimicry.

Behavior

Shy and secretive by day, the Yellow-breasted Chat becomes more vocal at night. Males often perform display flights during twilight or full darkness, singing as they flutter with slow wingbeats over brushy territory.

Breeding

Nesting begins in late spring. Males sing both day and night to establish territory and attract a female. Their nests are hidden deep within thickets, making them hard to spot.

Where to Find in California

Look and listen for them at dusk or night in riparian corridors, brushy wetlands, and nature preserves throughout the Sacramento Valley, coastal canyons, and low-elevation mountain areas.

Hermit Thrush

Appearance

The Hermit Thrush is a small, slender songbird with a warm brown back, white belly with dark spots, and a slightly reddish tail that sets it apart from other thrushes. Its gentle, soft-eyed expression matches its delicate voice.

Habitat

In California, Hermit Thrushes prefer coniferous forests, wooded canyons, and mountain groves, especially in the Sierra Nevada, coastal ranges, and higher elevation oak woodlands. They are winter residents in milder lowlands and summer breeders in cooler forests.

Song

The Hermit Thrush’s song is often described as one of the most beautiful in North America—a flutelike, echoing melody with clear, whistled notes and pauses. Males may sing during early dawn and dusk, and occasionally well into the night, especially in quiet forested areas.

Behavior

Solitary and quiet during the day, the Hermit Thrush becomes more vocal during the breeding season. Males perch low in trees or on fallen logs to sing, and they often retreat quickly if disturbed.

Breeding

They nest on the ground or in low shrubs in dense woodland areas. Songs increase in early spring to late summer when territories are being established and mates are sought.

Where to Find in California

You’ll hear them singing around twilight or at night in mountain forests, redwood groves, and shaded ravines. Areas like Big Sur, Yosemite, and the San Bernardino Mountains are excellent spots.

Pacific Wren

Appearance

The Pacific Wren is a tiny, energetic brown bird with a short tail often held upright. Its feathers are dark, finely barred with black, and its small size and flickering movements make it easy to miss in dense undergrowth.

Habitat

This wren thrives in moist forests, coastal redwoods, and mountain woodlands. In California, it’s common in Northern coastal forests, the Sierra Nevada, and shady canyon bottoms with thick understory and fallen logs.

Song

Despite its size, the Pacific Wren has a powerful and lengthy song—a rapid-fire, cascading series of trills and whistles that can last up to 10 seconds. Males often sing well into dusk and may continue into the night, especially during the breeding season in spring.

Behavior

The Pacific Wren is skulking and shy, often darting into crevices or low brush. It sings from hidden spots on stumps, logs, or low branches. During cool, damp evenings, its song fills the forest like a bubbling creek of sound.

Breeding

Males build multiple dome-shaped nests in mossy crevices and sing to attract females to choose one. Their night singing peaks from March to June, when territorial boundaries are being established.

Where to Find in California

Head to foggy redwood forests along the North Coast, shady streambeds in the Klamath Mountains, or high-altitude forests in the Sierra Nevada. You’re more likely to hear than see this vocal little bird.

American Robin

Appearance

The American Robin is a familiar sight with its rusty-orange breast, dark gray back, and white eye ring. It’s medium-sized, with a cheerful presence and an upright stance that makes it easy to recognize on lawns and in trees.

Habitat

Robins are found across urban neighborhoods, parks, woodlands, gardens, and farmlands throughout California. They’re one of the state’s most widespread birds and adapt easily to both wild and developed environments.

Song

Their melodic “cheerily, cheer-up, cheerily” song is usually a dawn chorus staple, but robins are also known to sing at night, especially near streetlights or during spring and early summer. Their clear, flute-like phrases can be heard even in suburban areas under the glow of artificial lights.

Behavior

Though often seen hopping on lawns during the day in search of worms, male robins may perch and sing persistently at night—particularly when light pollution tricks them into thinking it’s still dawn. This is most common during breeding season when males are actively defending territory.

Breeding

Males begin singing before sunrise and may continue well after sunset. Nesting season in California starts early, around February or March, and night singing increases when establishing new territories.

Where to Find in California

Anywhere! From Los Angeles suburbs to Lake Tahoe forests, American Robins are widespread and vocal, especially near porch lights, parks, and campuses.

Killdeer

Appearance

The Killdeer is a slender, medium-sized plover with long legs, a white chest marked by two bold black bands, brown upperparts, and a bright orange rump visible in flight. Its large, dark eyes and quick movements give it an alert look.

Habitat

Killdeer are commonly found in open fields, gravel roads, parking lots, golf courses, and shorelines. In California, they frequent agricultural areas, coastal flats, and desert basins. They often live near human activity.

Song

Their loud, ringing “kill-deer! kill-deer!” cry is often heard at night, especially during migration or when disturbed. They also give sharp, alarm-like calls and plaintive whistles—making them one of the more vocal birds after dark.

Behavior

Active both day and night, Killdeer are known for their dramatic “broken-wing” display to distract predators from nests. At night, they forage or fly between locations, calling constantly as they move through open areas or across city skies.

Breeding

They nest on the ground, often in bare gravel or dry dirt, using camouflage rather than cover. During the breeding season, night calls increase—especially in wide-open nesting territories where visibility is low.

Where to Find in California

Widespread throughout the state, especially in Central Valley farmlands, Southern California deserts, and coastal plains. Listen for their distinctive cries at night while driving through rural or suburban areas.

Black-crowned Night Heron

Appearance

The Black-crowned Night Heron is a stocky, medium-sized wading bird with gray wings, a black crown and back, red eyes, and short yellow legs. Immature birds are streaky brown with yellowish streaks, often mistaken for other species.

Habitat

These herons live near marshes, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and coastal estuaries. In California, they’re widespread in wetlands, urban ponds, and coastal regions from San Diego to the Bay Area and up into the Sacramento Delta.

Song

True to its name, this bird becomes active at night and gives a loud, raspy “quawk” or “wok” call. It’s not a songbird, but its harsh croaks are frequently heard in flight or near roosting sites after dark.

Behavior

Nocturnal by nature, Black-crowned Night Herons roost silently by day in groups and emerge at dusk to feed on fish, frogs, and insects. They often perch quietly in shallow water before striking with lightning speed. Unlike daytime herons, they rely more on stealth than wading.

Breeding

They nest colonially in trees or reeds near water, often forming mixed rookeries with egrets. During breeding season (spring to early summer), their night-time calls increase as they become more active around dusk and early evening.

Where to Find in California

Look for them in Golden Gate Park, Salton Sea, Sacramento River Delta, and wetlands from San Diego to Humboldt Bay. You’ll often hear their call before you spot them flying low over water at night.

Spotted Towhee

Appearance

The Spotted Towhee is a striking sparrow-sized bird with a black hood and back, bold white spots on its wings, and a rufous-orange belly and flanks. Its long tail with white outer edges is often flicked while foraging on the ground.

Habitat

Towhees prefer dense shrubs, chaparral, forest edges, and overgrown thickets. In California, they’re common in coastal sage scrub, Sierra Nevada foothills, oak woodlands, and even suburban yards with brushy cover.

Song

Usually a daytime singer, the Spotted Towhee sometimes gives harsh mews, trills, and short songs after dark, especially in spring and early summer. Their nighttime calls can sound like sharp “chewink” or drawn-out rasps, often mistaken for other birds.

Behavior

Spotted Towhees are ground-feeding specialists, scratching noisily in leaf litter with a distinctive two-footed hop. Males often perch atop shrubs to sing loudly, and they may continue sporadically into the night when establishing territory.

Breeding

Nesting season runs from April to July. Males increase their vocal activity—including some night calling—while defending territory and attracting mates. Nests are usually hidden low in shrubs or on the ground.

Where to Find in California

Abundant in Southern California chaparral, Bay Area foothills, and Northern coastal forests. Listen for their sharp calls during late evenings in shrubby habitats.

FAQs

Conclusion

California nights are never truly silent. From the melodic flute-like notes of the Hermit Thrush to the sharp cries of the Killdeer and the haunting hoots of the Great Horned Owl, many birds fill the darkness with their voices. Some sing to defend their territory, others to attract mates, while a few are simply following instincts shaped by migration or artificial lights.

Whether you live in the heart of Los Angeles, near the coast of Monterey, or in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada, you can step outside after dusk and experience this hidden soundscape. Learning to identify these nocturnal singers not only deepens your appreciation for California’s birdlife but also connects you to the rhythms of nature that continue long after the sun sets.

So next time you hear a mysterious chirp or haunting call in the dark, pause and listen—you may be witnessing the secret night chorus of California’s birds.