Nocturnal Birds Texas. The male cicada sings with a true percussion organ: a large muscle vibrates inside a hollow cavity in the abdomen, with a “lid” regulating the volume. Just like California, Texas is home to many nocturnal birds, many of which are herons, owls and hawks. Cicadas are related to leafhoppers. There is one such organ on each side of the abdomen. They constantly vary the song, which is very annoying. Many reed and sedge warblers "sing extensively during the night" in breeding season, the RSPB writes, referring to an array of species in the genus Acrocephalus. Mockingbirds definitely tend to sing all night. A few species of cicadas, family Cicadidae, sing after sundown, and/or are attracted to lights at night. Its not an owl. Nightjars are smaller birds and are also commonly found throughout the state of Texas. Other birds are diurnal (daytime) birds but may sing at night. Nocturnal birds are different than daytime birds. Its not even a bird, its a type of frog. Then, you have birds that are active at twilight but not the entire night. Right now my neighborhood is invaded nightly by Grackles. BirdForum is the net's largest birding community, dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE! You are most welcome to register for an account, which allows you to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more. Some birds are only active at night, meaning they feed or hunt at night, and sleep during the day. We hear them in San Antonio, too. Mockingbirds will sing at night under street lamps or when there is … Their nocturnal list includes the screech owl, great horned owl, barred owl, and barn owl. I used to hear this, too, so you are not crazy. Since it's illegal to kill them in Texas (being the state bird and all) I've actually been outside in my underwear at 2am throwing rocks into the trees to try and scare them off. I am a long time birder who used to live in North Texas.