What situation typically drives birds to vocalize the most?

Birds are known to be most vocal during dawn and dusk, often referred to as the "dawn chorus" and "dusk chorus." These are the times of day when natural light changes and many birds are energetically establishing their territories and communicating with one another to attract mates or warn off rivals. The increased vocalization during these times is primarily due to the environmental conditions that facilitate sound travel, as well as the birds’ natural behaviors associated with these periods, such as singing to mark territory or engage with potential mates.

While other situations can certainly provoke vocalizations, such as during mating season or while playing, these are often less pronounced or can occur less regularly throughout the day. Similarly, although feeding times can elicit vocalizations, they are typically less dramatic than the calls associated with mating and territorial behaviors during the early morning and late evening. Thus, the increased vocal activity at dawn and dusk is a well-known phenomenon among avian behaviorists.