When we think of birds, we often see them growing through the sky during the day. But do you know that some birds also fly at night? This may look stunning, but many birds have adapted to fly in the dark for various reasons. Let’s see why and how birds fly at night.
Reasons for Nocturnal Flight
Migration
Bird flying at night is one of the main reasons. Many bird species travel long distances to reach their breeding or winter ground. Flight at night helps them to avoid poachers and the heat of the day. For example, songbirds such as warlleyrs and thrush often migrate to the night. The cooler temperature and cool winds make it easier for them to fly long distances without getting very tired.
Feeding
Some birds fly at night to find food. Owl is a great example of this. They have special conversion, such as excellent night vision and silent flights, which help them hunt in the dark. Bats, which are not birds, but often wrong for them, also fly at night to catch insects. Other birds, such as nights, are large mouths that help them catch insects flying in the dark.
Safety
Flight at night may also be safe for some birds. During the day, there are many predators such as huxe and eagles that hunting birds. At night, these predators are less active, so birds can fly here and there without any concern. This is particularly important for small birds that are more unsafe for attacks.
How Birds Navigate at Night
Birds have amazing abilities that help them fly at night. In a way they navigate using stars. As the sailors used to do, some birds can tell where they are going to see the night sky. They also use the magnetic field of the Earth to find their way. This means that they can feel the invisible lines running from the North Pole to the south pole, making them find out in which direction it is flying. Another way that birds find their way at night. They can hear the sound from a distance, such as the calls of other birds or the noise of the sea. It also helps them on the track when they cannot see very well. Some birds also use sites such as mountains or rivers to guide during their night flights.
Types of Nocturnal Birds
Owls
Owls are the most famous nocturnal birds. They have big eyes that are in a lot of light, help to see them in the dark. Their wings are specially designed to make almost no sound when flying, which secretly helps them on their prey. There are many different types of owls, such as the Great Hornd owl and the barn owl, with their unique ways of hunting every night.
Nightjar
Nightjar are another type of birds active at night. They have wide mouths and big eyes, which help them catch insects that fly around in the dark. Knight are often found in open areas, such as in fields and forests, where they can easily see their prey. They also have a special call that they use to communicate with each other during the night.
Seabirds
Some seabards, such as Petrell and Sheerwatters, also fly at night. These birds spend most of their time in the sea, where they can get a lot of food. They often descend to lay eggs and raise their girls. At night, they can avoid predators and get food more easily in dark water.
Final Words
Night flying birds may look unusual, but this is actually a common and important part of their life. Whether they are migrating, feeding, or just trying to be safe, birds have developed amazing skills to help them fly in the dark. The next time you call a bird at night, remember that it is one of many amazing creatures that are adapted to life in the dark.