Birds Associated With The Moon

The moon has captivated humans since the beginning of time with its beauty, mystery and changing cycles. For centuries, people have observed how animals and birds also seem to respond to the moon’s phases in fascinating ways.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Owls, nighthawks, killdeer, eastern whip-poor-wills, and common poorwills are examples of nocturnal birds associated with the moon and its light.

In this article, we’ll explore in detail some of the bird species most closely linked to the moon and explain the interesting behaviors they exhibit under lunar influence.

Nocturnal Birds Active at Night by Moonlight

Owls

Owls are well-known nocturnal birds that become active at dusk when the moon rises. With their amazing night vision and silent flight, owls are perfectly adapted for hunting small mammals, insects, and other prey under the moonlight.

There are around 250 owl species in the world, ranging from the tiny Elf Owl to the large Eurasian Eagle-Owl. Some owls, like the Northern Hawk Owl, hunt during the day too. But most owls sleep in cavities or dense foliage during daylight hours.

When the sun goes down, these mysterious raptors leave their roosts and fly into the night. The moon’s illumination gives owls an advantage by creating shadows and silhouettes that help them locate prey.

Nighthawks

Nighthawks are unique nocturnal birds found throughout North and South America. These cryptic birds have long, pointed wings and are famous for their aerial courtship displays performed high in the night sky.

The common nighthawk, which breeds across much of North America, hunts for insects on the wing. Its nightly feeding is associated with the rising of the moon. Nighthawks gather in large feeding flocks during migration, hawking after insects under bright moonlight.

Studies show increased feeding activity on nights with a full moon. The additional illumination allows nighthawks to hunt more efficiently and maximize their food intake to build up energy reserves for migration.

Killdeer

Killdeer are shorebirds best known for their noisy “kill-dee” call. But killdeer are also active nocturnal feeders, often foraging at night for insects, worms, and other invertebrates. Their large eyes have special adaptations to enhance vision under low light conditions.

On moonlit nights, killdeer can be heard calling and observed feeding along shorelines, wetlands, and other habitats. The lunar illumination improves their ability to find food. And since fewer predators are active at night, it is safer for killdeer to feed under the cover of darkness.

Nocturnal foraging gives them an advantage over other diurnal shorebirds that restrict feeding to daylight hours.

Eastern Whip-poor-wills

The Eastern Whip-poor-will is a unique nocturnal bird named for its unmistakable nighttime call. A member of the nightjar family, they are found in forested areas of eastern North America. Whip-poor-wills emerge at dusk to hunt for night-flying insects.

They swoop through the woods and forest edges snapping up moths and beetles. The moon provides additional light for these aerial hunters to chase down prey. Studies show Whip-poor-wills increase foraging activity substantially on bright moonlit nights.

Their black and brown mottled plumage provides camouflage in the moonlit forest understory as they hunt under the lunar glow.

Common Poorwills

The Common Poorwill, named for its repetitive, poor-will call, is a nocturnal bird of the western United States and Mexico. This strange nightjar enters torpor during the day to conserve energy. At night, it leaves its roost to forage for insects attracted to flowers and bushes that open at dusk.

The lunar cycle strongly influences the Common Poorwill’s activity patterns. Research shows they increase feeding on nights with a waxing or full moon. The additional moonlight enhances their ability to catch moths, beetles, and other prey while reducing the risk of predation.

The Poorwill’s cryptic plumage also provides camouflage under the moon’s dim illumination, aiding its nocturnal existence.

Moonlight Helps Birds Hunt at Night

The moon has long captivated humankind with its mystical beauty. But for many species of birds, the moon is more than just a magical orb in the night sky – it serves as a useful tool for nocturnal hunting and navigation. Here’s an amazing look at how birds harness the power of moonlight.

Increased Visibility

Moonlight dramatically increases visibility for birds that are active at night. Species such as owls and nightjars rely on moonlight to help them spot, chase down and capture prey like mice, insects and frogs.

The boost in available light enables them to hunt more effectively and avoid crashing into objects. Even on nights with just a sliver of moon, the extra illumination can make a big difference.

Orienting and Navigation

In addition to aiding hunting, moonlight assists nocturnal birds with orienting themselves and navigating terrain. Similar to sunlight, the position and phase of the moon provides critical information that avian navigators use to determine direction.

Birds can calibrate their internal compass based on patterns of moonlight and shadow. The clarity of landmarks and horizon lines under moonlight also supports navigation and spatial awareness.

Timing of Breeding and Migration

Research shows that some species timed their breeding cycles and seasonal migrations to coincide with moon phases. When the moon is brightest, birds can hunt more successfully to feed hungry chicks. And during migration, brighter nights provide better visibility for long journeys.

Scientists have observed that patterns of bird reproduction and migration correlate with lunar cycles in multiple parts of the world.

Impact on Prey Behavior

In addition to aiding predators like owls and nightjars, moonlight affects the behavior of their prey. Under brighter moon phases, rodents reduce their foraging activity to avoid detection. But on darker nights, they become more daring and active.

By taking advantage of these prey behavioral changes, predatory birds can adjust their hunting strategy based on the moonlight conditions.

Differences Between Species

Not all nocturnal birds rely on the moonlight equally. Species like owls that hunt by sight seem to be more dependent on moon brightness. But nightjars that use sound to catch flying insects are less constrained.

Some owls, like the Great Horned Owl, have large eyes that are adapted to make the most of available moonlight for hunting. Other owl species with different eye characteristics may be more limited during darker phases of the moon.

Full Moons Prompt Earlier Migration in Some Species

Common Nighthawk

The common nighthawk is a medium-sized nocturnal bird found throughout North America. Research has shown that the timing of their migration is influenced by the phases of the moon. A 2008 study found that nighthawks tend to migrate earlier during autumn migration when the moon is full.

On nights with a full moon, the birds can see well enough to navigate and migrate. But on darker nights around a new moon, the nighthawks delay their migration by a few days until the moon brightens again. This pattern results in pulsed waves of migration that follow the lunar cycle.

Scientists speculate that increased predation risk under a full moon may also prompt earlier migratory departures. With the extra illumination, predators like owls can more easily spot and catch nighthawks as they set out on their journey.

So the birds may migrate sooner to avoid becoming a tasty meal!

Black-Capped Chickadee

The cute and charismatic black-capped chickadee also appears to link its migratory timing to the moon’s phases. A 2013 study used tracking devices to follow chickadee migrations and found an interesting pattern.

During fall migration, the tiny songbirds were more likely to start migrating on nights with a full moon. And they tended to stopover and rest on nights around a new moon.

Why would chickadees migrate more during bright full moons like the nighthawk? Researchers think the extra light makes it easier for the small birds to navigate and find food at night. The darkness of new moons may also deter owls and other predators, making it safer for chickadees to stop and rest.

So the lunar cycle seems to influence the migration strategy of these cute backyard birds!

Moon Phases Influence Reproduction in Some Birds

The different phases of the moon have been shown to influence reproductive behaviors in certain bird species. Here are some examples:

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles typically nest and lay their eggs on beaches during a full moon or new moon. Studies have shown that these nighttime phases provide the optimal illumination levels for female turtles to navigate from the ocean to nesting sites onshore.

The light from a bright full moon may also help hatchlings orient themselves and find the ocean after emerging from their sandy nests.

Coral Reef Spawning

Many coral species participate in mass spawning events that coincide with lunar cycles. Research indicates that coral like Montastraea annularis and Montastraea faveolata tend to spawn the most eggs during the seven days after a full moon.

These synchronized events maximize fertilization and reproductive success.

Experts theorize that moonlight cues coral gamete release because of its reliability and predictability. Corals that spawn in sync likely evolved to take advantage of stronger currents, smaller tides, and less predation during certain lunar phases.

Other animals benefiting from coral spawning include colorful reef fish like wrasses and parrotfish. They gather to feast on the nutrient-rich eggs and sperm released into the water.

Other Moon-Sensitive Species

In addition to sea turtles and coral, the moon’s cycles also drive the breeding behavior of animals like:

• Fiddler crabs – Mate during spring tides when lunar gravity exposes more of the intertidal zone.
• Palolo worms – Swarm and spawn around the last quarter moon in October/November.
• Grunion fish – Run up on beaches to lay eggs during spring tide events.

The moon’s influence extends beyond marine life. Some birds like petrels and shearwaters, for example, are thought to use moonlight to help navigate during transoceanic migrations. And there is evidence that female little penguins in Australia lay more eggs around the full moon.

While the exact mechanisms behind the moon’s impact are still being researched, its age-old gravitational pull clearly continues to shape the reproductive timing and success of many creatures today.

The Moon’s Effect on Birds Remains Mysterious

The potential effect of the moon on bird behavior is a phenomenon that continues to perplex and intrigue researchers. While some studies have suggested connections between lunar cycles and certain avian activities, the overall evidence remains inconclusive.

Some of the earliest beliefs about birds and the moon came from ancient folklore and myths. Many cultures, for example, thought that birds migrated by the light of the moon. More recently, in the 1940s, American naturalist Hugh McGuire hypothesized that birds use lunar navigation on their biannual trips between summer and winter habitats.

Potential Moon Effects

Since then, a number of intriguing but ambiguous potential moon-bird connections have emerged. For example, multiple studies have hinted at ties between the full moon and increased nocturnal activity in birds.

In one such study from 2002, researchers found higher rates of nocturnal flight calls from migrating birds in the Arctic during full moons.

Other reports suggest the lunar cycle may influence daily activity patterns, including morning vocalization times and proportions of daylight hours spent resting or flying. There is also evidence for links between the moon and avian reproduction.

One 1986 study recorded peak egg-laying activity among Northern Gannets when the moon was full.

The Complex Reality

However, for every study that demonstrates patterns connected to lunar phases, there seems to be another one finding no such relationship. As one comprehensive 2016 review noted, “The vaster literature, however, provides no evidence in support of lunar-related timing of avian ecology.” The real story appears to be far more complex and subtle than initial research suggested.

Timing differences between moon rises or moon phases can vary significantly between study sites, making findings harder to generalize. Individual species, populations, and large taxonomic groups may also react distinctly and show diverse lunar-associated behaviors.

Even similar species within single locations can respond differently.

Additionally, interactions between lunar cycles and other variables like weather, predation, competition, or anthropogenic factors may supersede moon-related influences. Untangling all these diverse effects poses a true scientific challenge.

A Mystery With No Simple Answer

As increased artificial light and other environmental changes disturb natural patterns, scientists may struggle even more to definitively determine the moon’s importance. For those seeking an unambiguous answer regarding the moon’s effects on birds, the only certainty seems to be that all remains mysterious for now.

Perhaps the true solution lies somewhere between the two extremes of believing lunar influence governs almost everything birds do and dismissing the possibility altogether. The real explanation is likely an intricate, nuanced integration of multiple variables.

With improved technology and long-term, large-scale studies, researchers may eventually illuminate more on this captivating riddle of nature.

Conclusion

While the moon’s sway over birds and their behavior is clear, scientists are still working to fully understand the reasons behind it. One thing is certain – the moon’s beauty seems to captivate much more than just us humans.

As we continue exploring its effects on birds and wildlife, the moon’s magic and mystery grow even deeper.