Cardinals Sparrows Starlings Robins

which is the lyrical culprit?

06/21/2011 1:18 AM

By Bonnie McGrath

4 Comments - Add Your Comment


Once when I was volunteering at a battered woman's shelter the security guard got ahold of me and wanted to share some information that he thought was inspiring and spiritual. "Birds sing here in the middle of the night," he said. "That signifies safety and hope for the future when the women get here. Isn't that amazing?"


Well, I thought that was pretty amazing indeed. Until a few years ago when I became a night owl, so to speak--enjoying the peace and quiet of the late hours of the night and the early hours of the morning, working on the computer, watching cable news and doing paperwork. And finding out that birds in Chicago--even in the South Loop--chirp loudly and vigorously in the middle of the night in my yard, too. And I do mean loud and vigorous. Are their days and nights mixed up?

Birds don't just come around to partake in my birdbath and dig up worms at my house at Roosevelt and State during the day. They create a lot of commotion all night long.

The question is: what bird is it that chirps all night, providing a certain liveliness and company for me as I get ready for bed in the wee hours? My fellow book club member and neighborhood resident Pat, who is a bird expert--an avid bird watcher and a bird exhibit volunteer at the Field Museum--couldn't decide. "I'd have to come over and hear it, "she said. "But I can't be there until about 5 AM," she advised.

But she did say it was probably Robins. But, If not, then Cardinals. Or Starlings. Maybe Sparrows.

A quick internet search made me zero in on Robins, though. Supposedly, the middle of the night is their favorite time to sing. But if not, then it's Cardinals, Starlings or Sparrows.



4 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Anonymous
Posted: 06/29/2011 6:23 AM

I know exactly what you are talking about with the noisy birds at night. My problem is, I go to bed early and wake up early, and I can\\\'t sleep because of them! I love to have my windows open to enjoy the fresh air - but with the noise of the birds I can\\\'t. I am looking into wearing ear plugs. The bird sounds are obnoxious! I believe the culprits are the cardinals, as I have a family of them living in my backyard.


By Syl from Pagosa Springs Colorado
Posted: 06/22/2011 9:13 PM

Great article..enjoy the singing while it lasts.


By judy marcus from palatine
Posted: 06/22/2011 4:50 PM

Maybe it's baby birds in a nest near your window. There's a nest in the underground parking lot by the Palatine library. It's pretty dark there, and you can hear the babies chirping all the time.


By Fluffy de Crossharbour from Winnetka
Posted: 06/21/2011 6:59 AM

B: What a lovely picture. Is it an Audubon? Perhaps these birds are nocturnal. Perhaps they're singing at night because it's too noisy in the daytime. Perhaps they're trying to chirp to the McGrath girls that it's time to turn off the tv.