Why Do Birds Circle Above City Lights and Buildings at Night?

Why do birds circle around lights?

Attraction to light: Many birds (especially swifts, swallows, and sometimes gulls) are active at dusk and during the night and can be drawn to bright lights. These lights attract insects, which in turn attract the birds that feed on them.

Orientation: Artificial light can confuse birds. They navigate using stars and the Moon, but bright lights can disorient them, causing them to circle or lose their way.

Thermal currents: In the evening, warm air rises from heated buildings and walls. Birds use these thermal updrafts to fly with less energy.

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