Can Birds See At Night? (All You Need To Know)

Vision is arguably a bird’s most important sense, and it’s crucial for finding food, avoiding predators, flying safely, and finding a mate.

We know that some birds are nocturnal, very active at night, and it can be inferred that they must have some degree of vision in the dark, but are all birds like this? Do all birds see at night, or do they have limited vision as night falls? Read on to learn more.

Nocturnal birds have highly developed night vision, allowing them to fly, hunt, mate and raise young in the dark. Most birds are adapted to gain better vision during the day, which becomes limited once night falls.

Although some songbirds can occasionally be heard singing at night, it is unlikely to be seen in flight unless they are disturbed in their nesting grounds or overnight roosts. Darkness severely impairs their ability to navigate safely, while light is needed for successful foraging and finding suitable mates.

The eyes of nocturnal birds are specially adapted to function efficiently in minimal light conditions and are anatomically distinct from those of diurnal birds. To learn what allows owls, nighthawks and woodcocks to see in the dark, read on.

Tawny owl perched on a tree at night

How do birds see in the dark?

Nocturnal birds such as night herons, owls, frogbills, and nightjars are active at night, hunting, foraging, navigating the skies, and caring for their young in the dark. To understand how their vision differs from that of diurnal birds, let’s look at the anatomy of the eyes of nocturnal birds.

Nocturnal birds have tubular eyes. They contain fewer cones (color-detecting cells) than the eyes of daylight-active birds. In contrast, they have a higher density of rods, which aid in night vision because they work well in dim light. The eyes of nocturnal birds have pathways through which rods connect to the same “dark” circuits that cones use. This allows them to see movement, edges and silhouettes in dim light.

Close-up of a Yellow-crowned Night Heron

What bird can’t be seen at night?

Most birds that are active during the day have poor vision once night falls. Nocturnal birds are in the minority and have adaptive vision that allows them to do all their activities in the dark.

Complete darkness obstructs the vision of all birds. For example, oilbirds that live in dark caves rely on echolocation to navigate without any light source.

Can birds be seen at night?

Some birds are occasionally nocturnal and you may hear songbirds such as thrushes, robins, sparrows, warblers and more after dark. These birds often sing at night to attract mates or establish territories, but are not nocturnal, nor do they have great night vision.

American and European robins are often heard singing at night

Why don’t birds fly at night?

Birds that are active during the day do not fly after dark because their limited vision makes navigation more challenging and puts them at risk of predation. Birds need a restful night’s sleep to restore and preserve their energy levels.

Some birds that are normally active during the day actually make annual migratory flights under the cover of darkness, including orioles, thrushes, flycatchers, warblers and sparrows, whose nocturnal migrations allow them to avoid many predators.

Is it normal to see birds at night?

Some birds are nocturnal and it is perfectly normal to be found in flight or hunting. In urban areas with a lot of artificial light from houses, buildings and traffic, birds may remain active to some extent after dark and may also be found roosting in trees.

Birds that are generally nocturnal are rare, except for nocturnal birds, unless they are disturbed or their nests or habitats are disturbed by predators.

Bird watching at night can be a fascinating experience, but it can also present challenges as your eyes need time to adjust to the light. You’re more likely to identify birds at night by listening to their calls, but you might also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an owl out on the hunt.

Nighthawks are active at dawn and dusk

Do birds like light at night?

Unusual light at night can affect the birds’ natural behavior patterns, and research continues on whether artificial light disrupts the birds’ natural physiology. Nocturnal birds are adapted to function better in the dark, while diurnal birds do need darkness for adequate sleep.

Can birds see red light at night?

Nocturnal birds need to see color less than diurnal birds, which rely on their ability to distinguish colors to find mates, avoid predators and forage. Nocturnal birds have more rods than cones in their eyes, which means they are better suited to seeing in low light than recognizing different colors.

Silhouette of a night heron and one of their chicks

Birds in the Dark FAQ

Can crows be seen at night?

Crows don’t have particularly good eyesight at night, so they aren’t usually active after dark. Crows are not nocturnal; at night, they are likely to roost together in communal roosts on the tallest branches of trees. However, crows are more likely to be seen after dark in built-up areas with plenty of artificial light.

Can pigeons see at night?

Pigeons are known for their keen eyesight. However, while their vision is very sensitive during the day, it is less accurate at night. When night falls, they can navigate with the help of the moon and street lights, but you usually won’t see a pigeon operating in the dark unless it’s frightened or afraid to leave its roost.

A bird perched on a tree at night

Can robins see at night?

It is not uncommon to hear robins singing at night, especially where there are many street lights. American and European robins that live in cities tend to have unusual sleep patterns, but their vision isn’t particularly good after dark, and it’s unlikely they’ll be seen eating or foraging until the sun rises .

Can pigeons see at night?

Pigeons have poor vision at night; they roost overnight and do not fly in the dark unless disturbed.

Can cockatoos see at night?

Cockatoos have poor eyesight in the dark, and their night vision is comparable to that of humans.

Can budgerigars see at night?

Budgies have poor night vision and cannot see clearly in the dark. Since budgerigars need about 12 hours of sleep per night, it is advisable to cover their cages at night and keep them in total darkness so they can get the rest they need.