Why do birds sing in the early morning?

Many of us have already experienced it: as soon as the morning dawns, we are woken up by a many-voiced bird concert. Parents may be familiar with their children's curious question: "Why do birds sing so early in the morning?" This question is not only justified, but also takes us right into the heart of a fascinating natural phenomenon. In this article, you'll find out what's behind birdsong in the morning, what it means for the animals and how you can experience nature in the garden and observe birds in the garden - including practical tips for the whole family. Be inspired to meet the next dawn with open ears!

1. morning bird concert: the secret of dawn

When the first birds begin to sing in the early hours of the morning, it is known as the dawn chorus. But why do birds sing so early in the morning, before the sun has even risen? Nature has good reasons for this: The air is particularly still just before sunrise. Less wind and background noise mean that the birds' voices carry much further. In fact, the song can be heard up to 20 times further in the moist, still morning air than during the day. So early in the morning, the little singers have an ideal stage to use their voices effectively.

Another reason: in the semi-darkness of dawn, it is not yet worthwhile for the birds to forage. Insects are hiding and seeds are also difficult to find. The animals prefer to use this time for communication. The morning concert is therefore the perfect opportunity for the male birds to sing without distraction. Their song has two functions: Firstly, they loudly proclaim "I survived the night and am in top form!" - a signal to rivals in the territory. Secondly, they demonstrate strength and stamina to impress potential mates. Early in the morning, when birds sing, all the neighbors hear immediately: a powerful singer lives here.

In practical terms, this means, for example, that a blackbird or robin, which are often the first to start, show with every trill that they are still there and that the territory is occupied. Incidentally, each bird species has its own "start time" at dawn. Early risers such as blackbirds and robins often start their song ~45 minutes before sunrise. The common redstart is even earlier - up to 80 minutes before. Other species wait longer: wrens, tits and chaffinches start their concert a little later. So the concert goes in waves, so to speak: Once one species has finished, the next takes over. This graduated timing - ornithologists call it a bird clock - ensures that every singer is heard and not drowned out by the chaos of sound. Fascinating, isn't it?

2. language of nature: the meaning of birdsong

What sounds like cheerful chirping to us is a serious matter for birds. The importance of birdsong lies primarily in marking territory and finding mates. It is almost exclusively the males that sing - and for good reason. They use powerful song to show their conspecifics: "This is my territory." The morning song is therefore also a clear declaration of war on rivals: Stay away! A chaffinch, for example, occupies a small territory in the garden with its song and defends it against other males of the same species. At the same time, the song serves the purpose of attracting females. It can therefore be said that birdsong is the language of love and competition in the bird kingdom.

This acoustic communication reaches its peak in spring. The days get longer, the temperatures milder - this triggers biological processes in many male birds. "With increasing day length, more testosterone is released in males in spring, and this causes increased singing in spring," explains Dr. Thomas Rödl from the Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV). The rising hormone levels awaken the reproductive instinct: now is the time to find a female and secure a territory. Birds in spring therefore flirt acoustically at full speed. The song becomes louder, more varied and more persistent - a real performance! What sounds like magical music to us is actually a mixture of courtship song (to impress a female) and territory defense (to keep competitors away). A sparrow in a hedge or a titmouse in a tree doesn't sing "just because", but sends specific messages to its surroundings. The exciting thing is that every bird species has its own "language" - from the melodious flute of the blackbird to the throaty, creaky call of the crow. If you listen carefully, you can recognize these different dialects in the garden and even learn to understand what the birds are "saying" to each other. We will go into this later.

3. springtime = mating season: when birds get louder in spring

It is no coincidence that we are particularly aware of birdsong in spring. In March, April and May, we experience nature in a mood of awakening - and with it the birds. Birds in spring not only sing earlier, but also more energetically and for longer. With the first warm rays of sunshine, many migratory birds return from their winter quarters and the native birds increase their singing. Suddenly you can hear a veritable spring orchestra in the morning: blackbirds, tits, robins, chaffinches, they all join in. This concert reaches its climax in April, when the last migratory birds from Africa join in again. More players mean more voices - the competition for the best territories and partners becomes more intense. Males that have spent the winter here are now even more eager to show the new arrivals who is the boss of the territory. A morning song like this is also a special kind of welcome ceremony: Hello everyone, I'm already here and this garden is mine!

For us humans, this dawn chorus is a magical experience. The sound of nature in the garden is particularly impressive in spring. It means being awakened by nature - a gift that many feel is the soundtrack of spring. However, as the summer progresses, the singers take a break again: as soon as the breeding season is over and the young have hatched, many birds fall silent to avoid attracting predators. In midsummer, mornings are therefore often quieter. But don't worry: some species still give a concert early in the day or again in the evening. Early morning birds sing the loudest, especially in spring; later in the year you are more likely to hear the chirping of young birds or the quieter calls when dividing up territories. By the way: If you're not an early riser, you still don't have to miss out on birdsong. Many songbirds - such as blackbirds, robins and thrushes - also sing their song again in the evening, albeit in a softer form. And some, like the nightingale, even fill the balmy spring night with their voices. So there is something to hear at any time of day - but nothing comes close to the richness and atmosphere of the early morning concert.

4. experience nature in the garden: Watching birds in your own garden

Would you like to experience the morning concert up close? The best place for this is often your own garden or balcony. Here you can watch birds in your garden and enjoy nature right on your doorstep. A few practical tips will help the feathered singers feel at home and enjoy singing near you:

• Inviting habitat: Birds love gardens with native plants, hedges and trees. The more natural your garden is, the more species will settle there. Even a small tree or shrub as a singing platform can work wonders.
• Offer a watering hole: Set up a shallow bowl of water or a mini bird bath. Birds like to drink and bathe in the morning after singing. Especially on warm spring days, water attracts many species - great for observing!
• Set up feeding areas: Especially in the barren season or even in spring, when the first migratory birds return and are hungry, it is worth offering food. A bird house or feeder that you can see from the window makes for wonderful observations. Make sure you offer clean, varied food (e.g. sunflower seeds, oatmeal, unsalted nuts) and make sure that cats can't get to it.
• Create places of retreat: Allow some wild growth in a corner of the garden or hang up nesting boxes. If birds can breed or roost in the garden, they are more likely to stay nearby and sing on site. A dense bush, a pile of brushwood or special nesting boxes offer protection and a place for birds to start a family.

Speaking of nesting boxes: nowadays there are even ingenious ways of observing birdlife without disturbing them. For example, more and more nature lovers are installing a bird feeder with camera or a nesting box with camera. The whole family can watch the birds feeding early in the morning or the young birds being fed in the nest in spring via live stream. Such technical aids are of course no substitute for the real experience outside, but they do offer exciting insights directly into bird life - a great DIY project for tech-savvy animal lovers! However, it is still important to respect wild animals. Observe from a distance or through the window, especially during the breeding season, and avoid sudden disturbances. If the birds feel safe, they will consider your garden a home and enrich you with their song.

5. recognize bird calls: Tips for the whole family

Observing and experiencing nature together in the garden can be very enriching for families. Recognizing the different bird calls is an exciting challenge. Children and adults alike often have great fun with this - it's almost like a musical memory game in the great outdoors! Here are a few tips on how you can go on a bird call safari as a family:

• Listen early: Get out early at the weekend with a blanket and tea in the garden - who will sing first?
• Distinguish between birds: Blackbird = melodic, great tit = "zi-zi-bääp", robin = pearly. Make a bird song memory!
• Use apps: With apps like Merlin Bird ID Identify birdsong - works almost like Shazam.
• NABU bird watch check: see online when which species sings - test it outside.
• Learn through play: play "bird detective", imitate calls, guess bird calls.

Finally, a little tip: be patient and simply enjoy the sounds. Even experienced birdwatchers sometimes confuse a voice. It is much more important to feel the connection to nature than to know all the names. When your family sits outside together in the morning and listens to the awakening garden, you create shared memories - and perhaps a tradition that your children will carry on later. It's moments like these that make life in your own garden so special.

Reader question: Have you ever consciously listened to the morning concert of the birds - perhaps together with your family? What bird calls do you now recognize in your garden or surroundings? Feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments - we look forward to hearing about your bird adventures!