Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier

Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to disappear? Birds need sleep as much as we do, and they have evolved unique sleep habits to match their intensely energetic lifestyle. Instead of long stretches of obliviousness, they sleep in short bouts of several seconds or a few minutes, waking up to look around for danger, and then going back to sleep. To increase their vigilance, birds can sleep while shutting off only half their brain and one eye at a time, leaving them able to respond instantly to any alarm. The social habits of sleeping birds are also distinctive. Most are solitary, some sleep in pairs or families, while others gain advantages of warmth, safety, and even social needs like finding a mate, by joining in flocks, not to mention guidance on where to get breakfast the next day.     

Join Roger Pasquier on September 16 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM for a member webinar about birds and sleep.

To register for the webinar log into your member account and go to Member Resources.

Already logged in? Go right to Member Resources.

Presenter Bio:

Roger Pasquier is an associate in the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History.  His career has been in ornithology and in conservation, at BirdLife International, World Wildlife Fund-US, Environmental Defense Fund, and National Audubon Society. He is the author of several books on birds. Roger is a native New Yorker. His favorite birding places are Central Park and the Peruvian rainforest, and he enjoys his occasional visits to Mount Auburn.

Book cover: Birds at Rest by Roger Pasquier

2024 Annual Report

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 283 species for 2024, with 274 species in Massachusetts (four more than 2023), and nine additional species reported from New Hampshire and Maine.  This total was based upon 262

2024 Annual Report

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 283 species for 2024, with 274 species in Massachusetts (four more than 2023), and nine additional species reported from New Hampshire and Maine.  This total was based upon 262

2024 Annual Report

The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) recorded 283 species for 2024, with 274 species in Massachusetts (four more than 2023), and nine additional species reported from New Hampshire and Maine.  This total was based upon 262

News Categories

Upcoming Field Trips

  • Arlington Reservoir

    Lexington - Arlington Reservoir 210 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA, United States

    Visit Arlington Reservoir and the adjacent Lexington Community Farm to search for late winter lingerers and early migrants. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird club.

  • Mass. Audubon Boston Nature Center

    Mattapan - MAS Boston Nature Center 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA, United States

    Join us to observe resident birds and early spring migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk. The trails are flat and easy to walk. Be sure to wear a hat, waterproof footwear, and bring water.

  • Mt Auburn Cemetery

    Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States

    Mount Auburn Cemetery is lovely in all seasons.  In late March, we may see the very earliest migrants from the south (Red-winged Blackbird, others) as well as the remaining seasonal visitors from the north (e.g. White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco).  And our usual year-round resident species will have just started to sing!

  • Members Webinar with Tiffany Kirsten – Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders

    DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS WEBINAR HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 10 TO MARCH 24. IF YOU PREVIOUSLY SIGNED UP, YOUR REGISTRATION AND ZOOM LINK WILL STILL WORK FOR THE MARCH 24 DATE. Please join the BBC on the evening of March 24 from 7PM to 8:30PM for a member only webinar with Tiffany Kirsten,

  • Woodcock Walk, North Easton

    North Easton - Edwin A. Keach Park Chestnut Street, Easton, MA, United States

    From the playground, we will walk a short distance to an open area where we can observe 2 fields for Woodcock. Sunset is around 6:30 pm so bring a camp chair and relax for the Woodcock flight.

Go to Top