The morning atmosphere creates a temperature inversion, trapping cooler air near the ground beneath a layer of warmer air. This inversion reduces turbulence, allowing sound waves to travel farther and more clearly—a perfect stage, but perhaps this isn’t the only reason we hear nature’s little performers at this hour.

We explore the idea that birds, like human vocalists, warm up their voices before a performance—a day of singing. After all, what else would little birds do with the rest of their day? Relying on their songs to attract mates and defend territory, these early birds fine-tune their vocal performances for optimal results. Practice, practice, practice!

This exhibit—available all day but far more magical in the morning—is an immersive experience. Through our interspecies appreciation of music and song, we perform with the songbirds and even translate what they’re saying.