When we think of roosters, the first image that comes to mind might be of them standing tall in the dawn light, crowing. However, you may have always misunderstood the reason why roosters crow at the same time every day!
Roosters Crowing: A Natural Mystery
The act of roosters crowing at dawn has become a familiar rule in nature. This seemingly simple question has not only sparked curiosity but has also led scientists to spend many years researching to find an answer.
It wasn’t until 2013 that the answer became clear. Through experiments conducted by Japanese biologists, it was discovered that the crowing of roosters in the early morning is closely linked to hormone secretion combined with the impact of light. In roosters, the pineal gland – the organ that secretes melatonin – plays a crucial role in controlling biological rhythms, including sleep and wakefulness.
As night falls, the pineal gland secretes melatonin, but when the first light appears, this process is inhibited. At that moment, the sudden change in melatonin levels stimulates the roosters to crow. This indicates that the crowing behavior of roosters is influenced by their biological clock – a mechanism regulated by hormones and light.
The Role of Biological Rhythms
Roosters crowing on time is a common phenomenon. But why do they crow at a specific time?
In nature, many organisms are affected by biological rhythms, and roosters are no exception. Therefore, there is a close correlation between the biological rhythm of roosters and their crowing behavior at specific times.
| Biological rhythms influence a rooster’s ability to assert territory, hormone levels, and light perception to start and stop crowing behavior at the appropriate times. This biological rhythm is not only a natural expression of rooster behavior but also provides important clues for understanding how organisms adapt and evolve to their environment. |
Roosters crow to mark their territory and challenge competing roosters. However, they do not crow continuously; they are most active in the hours leading up to dawn and stop crowing about two hours after sunrise. This is due to the biological rhythm of roosters, which makes them more alert and excited before dawn in preparation to compete for territory with other roosters.
In one study, scientists found a significant relationship between the timing of roosters’ crowing and the height of the sun at sunrise. Specifically, roosters crow 10 to 15 minutes before the sun rises. This is also the time they crow the most during the day. Thus, the timely crowing became a rule. Additionally, factors such as temperature, sound, environment, and social interactions also have a certain impact on the biological clock of roosters. (Image: Zhihu).
Biological rhythms also affect hormone levels in roosters. In the hours before dawn, the concentration of oxytocin in roosters gradually increases. Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes active behavior and crowing in roosters. This process is generally regulated by the internal biological clock of the roosters and external environmental factors. As the sun rises, the secretion of oxytocin gradually decreases, which is one reason why roosters stop crowing after sunrise.
In their natural environment, roosters determine the time to crow by sensing the presence and changes in light. Although roosters cannot perceive strong light, they can detect differences in light intensity. As the light gradually increases, roosters will gradually increase their crowing frequency and eventually stop crowing when the light becomes clearer. The control of this biological rhythm over the crowing behavior of roosters is based on biological evolution and adaptation to their environment.
The biological rhythm influences a rooster’s ability to assert territory, hormone levels, and light perception to start and stop crowing behavior at the appropriate times. This rhythm is not only a natural expression of rooster behavior but also provides important clues for understanding how organisms adapt and evolve to their environment. (Image: Zhihu).
Territorial Claims and Social Communication
The territorial assertion of roosters is one of the main reasons they crow on time. Roosters are endowed by nature with a certain sense of territory, and they crow to declare their territory.
Every morning, roosters will stand in the middle of their territory, hold their heads high, and crow loudly to warn other roosters not to infringe on their territory. This sound can travel far, reminding other roosters not to cross the boundary.
By crowing, roosters can identify other roosters within their territory and interact socially with them. Roosters use different crowing sounds to express various emotions and intentions, such as asserting dominance, attracting the opposite sex, or challenging other roosters. Thus, crowing on time is also a form of social communication.
Chickens are highly social animals, and they crow to communicate with other roosters. The crowing of roosters can convey different messages, such as warnings, courtship, and intimidation. Crowing on time in the morning signals roosters to start their daily activities and is also one of the ways they communicate with other roosters. (Image: Zhihu).
The timely crowing of roosters is also closely related to their sexual maturity. Roosters usually reach physical maturity at 5 to 6 months of age. Sexual maturity means that the reproductive organs of the roosters have fully developed and are capable of reproduction. When roosters reach sexual maturity, they will begin to assert their territory, announcing their presence by crowing – their crowing can convey their strength and leadership status while attracting the attention of hens.
As diurnal animals, roosters have a strong biological clock. They crow on time in the morning, which can be a routine before sunrise in nature. The crowing of roosters helps them determine the time before sunrise and acts as a sort of timer for their biological clock. In this way, they can accurately predict and adjust their biological rhythms before daily changes in the environment. (Image: Zhihu).
Foraging
Additionally, crowing is linked to survival needs. With poor night vision, roosters wake up early to forage when the light begins to appear – a time when insects are plentiful. Upon finding a food source, they will crow to call the hens over.
From asserting their position and attracting mates to foraging for food, the crowing behavior of roosters is not just a signal of dawn but also holds many significant biological meanings.
