Dawn chorus (birds)

In temperate countries this is most noticeable in spring when the birds are either defending a breeding territory, trying to attract a mate or calling in the flock.

[4] Moller used a play-back technique to investigate the effects of singing by the black wheatear (Oenanthe leucura) on the behaviour of both conspecifics and heterospecifics.

Moller suggested the dawn (and dusk) chorus of bird song may be augmented by social facilitation due to the singing of conspecifics as well as heterospecifics.

[5] An annual International Dawn Chorus Day is held on the first Sunday in May[6] when the public are encouraged to rise early to listen to bird song at organised events.

The dawn chorus is no longer as loud as it once was, owing to extensive loss of forests, the introduction of bird predators and competing species such as wasps.