We’ve all had a bad night’s sleep, with a snoring partner, a crying baby or neighbours having too much fun. Sleep disturbances are common and have unpleasant consequences the day after, including feeling unmotivated and struggling to communicate.

But it turns out we are not alone in this. Our new study reveals birds also suffer when their sleep is disrupted, and it shows in their singing.

Birds’ vocalisations are extraordinarily diverse. They range from simple calls, like a chicken cluck, to complex mimicry of other sounds, sometimes even human voices.

These vocalisations are important for birds to share information about themselves and their surroundings.

Calls are usually short and simple. They are often used for social communication, such as signalling danger or food, for kin recognition or to maintain social bonds.

Blackbird alarm call. Uku Paal, XC1024751, CC BY-NC-SA263 KB (download)

Songs are more complex and melodious and are used to attract mates, protect a territory or claim a new one.

Blackbird singing. Romuald Mikusek, XC1015476,

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