Light Pollution Allows the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) to Feed Nestlings After Dark

We investigated whether Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) alter their nocturnal foraging behavior in areas with artificial light at night. We observed mockingbirds after sunset at six study sites that varied in levels of artificial light. We hypothesized that birds at the parking lot and residential sites would feed their nestlings later at night because of light pollution. The average time past sunset that birds across all sites continued to feed nestlings was positively correlated with average light level around the nest. Mockingbirds in the parking lot fed their nestlings similar to 15 mins later than those in the other sites, suggesting that this abundant urban species can exploit light pollution.