7 birds that cannot fly at night and why​

While birds are the epitome of their ability to fly, not all of them can manage it while it is dark.

Many birds depend on daylight for clear vision and navigation, which makes night flying a challenge for them as some birds are not so equipped with flight and they’re simply not built for it.

Some face biological restrictions, like limited flight capabilities, while others avoid nighttime activity as part of their natural instincts to prevent predators.

For these birds, night is a time to rest, nest, or stay hidden rather than taking to the skies. Here are some fascinating birds that cannot fly at night

Kiwi birds are flightless, nocturnal birds that much prefer the protection of the forest floor. Fitted with a highly developed sense of smell and hearing, they are perfectly adapted to hunting by night without requiring flight. Having small wings and low-energy living styles, flight is not needed. Instead, they rely on camouflage and reliance on their senses to avoid being preyed upon. For kiwis, being on the ground is not a restriction but a perfectly adapted survival strategy for their own special environment.

Parrots are great flyers by day, agile and in control. They have poor eyesight at night and flying is dangerous then. Parrots remain perched in trees or shelter at night, using their colorful plumage as camouflage by day and for protection at night.

Pheasants are not strong fliers and typically stay on the ground, relying on their speed and agility to evade predators. At night, flying becomes even more difficult due to their poor vision, so they seek refuge by roosting in trees or dense vegetation. This helps them stay safe from nocturnal predators while also reducing the risk of getting injured. Pheasants are cautious creatures, using their surroundings to survive rather than relying on flight, especially in low-light conditions

Peacocks are mostly ground-dwelling birds but can take short flights to roost in trees or elevated areas. Their poor night vision makes flying after dark risky, so they prefer to remain seated in secure spots during the night. Known for their vibrant plumage, peacocks rely on these bright beautiful colors for daytime courtship displays. However, this advantage doesn’t help them at night, when staying hidden and conserving energy becomes essential for survival against predators

Turkeys are capable of brief, strong flights during daylight but avoid flying at night due to their poor vision in darkness. As a precaution, they roost in tall trees to escape ground predators when the sun sets. While on their perches, they rely on their keen senses of sound and movement to remain alert to potential threats. Turkeys prefer ground foraging during the day, but their instinctive avoidance of night flights keeps them safe and allows them to conserve energy for survival.

Ostriches, the Earth’s largest birds, are totally flightless as a result of their enormous body and small, rudimentary wings. They rely on their strong legs for running, useful for escaping predators, instead of flying. They stay on land at night with very good ears and keen eyes that can sense harm. Although they cannot fly, ostriches can run at speeds of up to 70 km/h, which guarantees their survival. At night, they spend their time resting in open spaces so that they can stay alert to their environment

Chickens are not good fliers and depend on their ground-dwelling instincts to survive. Although they can make short, low flights in the daytime, their poor eyesight makes flying at night out of the question. Chickens naturally seek out high roosts at night to escape predators and remain secure. They trust their flock highly for protection and like to sleep during dark periods. Their limited flying ability is due to domestication because they are bred mainly for food purposes and not for their flying capacity.