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Why do roosters crow? |
Creature Features
Cock-a-doodle-do! The crow of the male chickens we call roosters is famous, and people who own or live near roosters regularly hear their calls! While you may know how to crow like a rooster, have you ever wondered exactly why the rooster crows?
Roosters crow because they have something to say! For example, some roosters crow in order to tell other roosters to keep off their turf. After all, roosters are protective of their flocks and don’t enjoy trespassers! Roosters may even crow to remind other roosters that they are the ones in charge!
Roosters may also crow as a reaction to something changing in their environment, such as the sound of a car or a person approaching. Just as you would be surprised by noise from a slamming door, roosters react to new sights and sounds, and they’re not afraid to let others know when they are caught off guard!
While some people may think roosters only crow in the early morning hours, the truth is that they crow all of the time! Sure, they may crow at dawn, but they also crow in the afternoon or the evening!
Roosters (and birds in general) are most active in the morning, which is why they may be extra vocal at this time of day. Plus, since we know that roosters crow when something changes in their surroundings, it makes sense that they would crow when noticing the change from the darkness of nighttime to the brightness of morning!
The next time you’re awake early in the morning, take some time to notice the sounds outside of your window. Can you hear the different chirps of the neighborhood birds? What other creatures do you hear? Are there barking dogs and chomping squirrels? Enjoy being an observer of animal sounds!
