Another bird song question 

Earlier this summer, I wrote two columns about female birds’ vocalization and, more generally, about bird songs. While I was on vacation, I received an inquiry from a reader asking why, when it’s August and breeding season is over, are birds still singing? Bird song is usually linked to breeding — the search for a mate and the defense of a nesting/feeding territory. 

A more common question I hear is why birds have stopped singing. These folks are just reacting to birds singing less than they did in the spring and early summer.  

Singing is energy-intensive and, for birds, finding enough food is a daily challenge. Therefore, it’s not surprising that post-breeding the amount of singing drops off considerably.  

But, not always. Singing may persist for several reasons. First, even though it’s nearly September, some song birds are still nesting. When I was banding western bluebirds on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, my latest date for banding nestlings was Aug. 24. So, late season bird song for a few species may function to maintain a prime feeding territory.  

A western bluebird male.

Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT

A second important reason for the persistence of singing, especially for males, is teaching the appropriate song to next generation. In past decades ornithological researchers puzzled about bird song and, as a result, began conducting experiments. By removing eggs from nests and raising them in isolation, researchers learned that most song bird species had an innate ability to sing a song that was, at the least, vaguely like its species song. However, the songs of isolated males often were incomplete and the notes were jumbled.  

This was not true for all species — some isolated males were able to perform songs equal to their normally-raised brethren. And, as we know, a few species (cowbirds, for example) lay eggs in the nest of host species and the adults play no active role in raising their young. But for most songbird species the young-of-the-year learn to sing by listening to and imitating the late-season songs of the males of their species.  

This observation fits with our common sense understanding of evolution and fitness — the goal of reproduction is to produce offspring that can in turn reproduce successfully. The offspring of males that continue to sing into the late summer are likely to be better singers, and therefore more attractive mates, who likely will reproduce more in the years to come. Young female offspring are listening, too, and may be gaining a song preference for a mate that sings its song “properly.”

A song sparrow.

Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT

Also, some songbird species are “on territory” all year. An example locally might be your neighborhood song sparrow. Local song sparrows do not migrate, but many nonlocals do and spend the winter here in Thurston County. That occasional song sparrow song you hear on occasion may have some year-round territorial benefit. 

A fourth reason for the persistence of song, at least for some migratory species, is to assist in rounding up migratory flocks. This explanation is more speculative and raises the question of the difference between songs and calls. Bird vocalizations are heard all year and for song birds these vocalizations often are termed calls, or locator notes, rather than songs. Of course, this year’s young have to learn and understand these vocalizations as well, which is why some writers add this fourth reason to the explanation of the persistence of post-breeding song. 

Another response to the question of why birds are still singing is “We don’t exactly know. We know a lot, but there is still plenty in the avian world that’s a mystery and that mystery is part of the pleasure of birding.” 

An elegant tern.

Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT

Rare birds at Tokeland

Two weeks ago, I reported that elegant terns were being seen in large numbers in and around the Tokeland Peninsula area of Willapa Bay. They are still there and they are also being seen in other locations along the Washington coast. They are often seen with Caspian terns, but can be easily distinguished by their slim bill and smaller size. 

Marbled godwits with one bar-tailed godwit.

George Walter | The JOLT

Marbled godwits also have returned to Tokeland Marina area in good numbers and with them are at least two bar-tailed godwits. Last year, I wrote several columns about these godwits (The JOLT, 9/18/25, 9/25/25 and 10/2/25) and it’s exciting to know they have returned. Bar-tailed godwits are remarkable long-distance migrating shorebirds and now you have another opportunity to see them before they continue their journey to the South Pacific. 

George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com 

Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, a 19-year-old Olympia area birder and avid photographer.