Dawn chorus (birds)
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The dawn chorus occurs when songbirds sing at the start of a new day. This is most noticeable in spring, when the birds are either defending a breeding territory or trying to attract a mate. In a given location, it is common for different species to do their dawn singing at different times. In a study of the Ecuadoran forest, it was determined that birds perching higher in the trees and birds with larger eyes tend to pipe up first. These correlations may be caused by the fact that both would also correlate with the amount of light perceived by the bird.
In some territories where bird life is extensive and birds are vocal, the sound of a dawn chorus can render early morning sleeping impossible.
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[edit] International Dawn Chorus Day
An annual International Dawn Chorus Day is held, where the public are encouraged to rise early to listen to bird song, at organised events. The first ever was held at Moseley Bog in Birmingham, England in 1984, by the Urban Wildlife Trust.
[edit] New Zealand
Early explorers and European settlers noted that the New Zealand forest had a loud dawn chorus. This is no longer the case due to extensive loss of forests and the introduction of bird predators and competing species such as wasps. The bellbird and the tui are two of the birds that would have formed part of the dawn chorus since they have a vocal and melodious call.
[edit] United Kingdom
In the UK the vast majority of organised Dawn Chorus walks take place in May, with many beginning as early as 4am. The most often heard species of birds are, in order of them beginning to sing:
- Blackbird
- Robin
- Wren
- Tawny Owl
- Chaffinch
- Common Pheasant
- Warblers, including Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler
- Song Thrush
- Greenfinch
- Dunnock
