Latest news with #AnimalBehaviour
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts stunned by bizarre reaction from birds exposed to unusual disturbance: 'Significant impact'
In a new study published in the journal Animal Behaviour, scientists observed a worrisome behavioral change in the Galápagos yellow warbler, a bright yellow songbird native to the Galápagos Islands. Researchers found the birds are behaving more aggressively — and it appears to be linked to human-induced noise in their habitat. As Anglia Ruskin University reported via researchers conducted a study in the Galápagos Islands, where they played recorded traffic noise at 38 locations home to the yellow warblers. What they discovered was that the more traffic the warblers had been exposed to, the more aggressively they responded to the sounds. The behavior was even observed in birds on Floreana Island, which has only 10 cars — showing that it doesn't take much noise pollution to seriously affect wildlife. "Our study shows the importance of considering behavioral plasticity in conservation efforts and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of noise pollution on wildlife," said co-author Caglar Akcay, a senior lecturer in behavioral ecology at ARU. "It also highlights the significant impact of human activities on wildlife behavior, even in relatively remote locations such as the Galápagos Islands." Noise pollution can stress animals, alter their behavior, and disrupt their communication methods — one reason researchers believe these yellow warblers become more physically aggressive. When this happens, the negative consequences can ripple across ecosystems. Not only does noise pollution affect wildlife, but it's also unhealthy for humans. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, studies have found direct links between noise pollution and health issues such as high blood pressure, sleep loss, loss of productivity, and stress-related illnesses. Protecting wildlife from noise may also mean creating healthier spaces for ourselves. Researchers say we should proactively address noise pollution to better protect ourselves and the environment. Some strategies include creating buffer zones, regulating traffic near wildlife areas, and raising public awareness. Government regulation helps on a broader scale — for example, the European Commission included minimizing noise pollution in its Zero Pollution Action Plan. Also, nonprofits, including the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, raise awareness and work for stronger laws to control noise pollution. Individuals can also help. Supporting policies that prioritize green spaces, buffer zones, and quieter transportation; walking or biking instead of driving; and practicing a quieter version of "leave no trace" while in nature are all meaningful steps. Investing in cleaner, quieter technologies such as electric vehicles and sustainable public transit can make a big difference — not just for people but for wildlife too. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Traffic noise is making these Galápagos birds more aggressive
While actual road rage is primarily a human trait, some birds on the Galápagos Islands are experiencing their own issues with traffic. Galápagos yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia aureola) that are exposed to noisy traffic appear to show heightened levels of aggression. The findings are detailed in a study published March 20 in the journal Animal Behaviour. 'Birds use song during territorial defence as an aggressive signal,' Caglar Akcay, a study co-author and behavioral ecologist at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, said in a statement. 'However, if external noise such as traffic interferes with the signalling, effectively blocking this communication channel, increasing physical aggression would be an appropriate response.' A world-renown 'natural living laboratory,' the Galápagos Islands are over 500 miles off the coast of Ecuador. During his famed voyage to the archipelago aboard the HMS Beagle, the Galápagos helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. The archipelago is home to a large number of unique and endemic species including giant Galápagos tortoise, marine iguana, flightless cormorant, and the Galápagos yellow warbler in this new study. The small yellow songbird is widespread on the archipelago. It is also genetically distinct from yellow warblers found elsewhere in the Americas and is classified as a subspecies. However, the human population and impacts on the Galápagos has significantly grown in recent years. Alongside a jump in tourism, the population of permanent residents is also increasing by over 6 percent per year, leading to more motor vehicles around the islands. This new study took a closer look at the impact of vehicle noise pollution on the Galápagos yellow warblers. To stimulate the sound of an intruder, the team played bird songs from a speaker and recorded traffic noise. These noises were recorded at 38 locations populated by Galápagos yellow warblers on the islands of Floreana and Santa Cruz. Twenty of the sites were within 164 feet (50 meters) of the nearest road and 18 were over 328 feet (100 meters) away. Male Galápagos yellow warbler on the island of Floreana – filmed by Caglar Akcay in March 2025. CREDIT: Caglar Akcay, Anglia Ruskin University. The team then measured their song–which is typically used to ward off intruders–and their physical and aggressive behaviors. These actions include making repeated flights across the speaker or approaching it closely. During trials that included traffic noise, the team found that Galápagos yellow warblers living in roadside territories showed increased aggression. Those living away from the roads had a decreased aggression relative to trials without noise from cars. 'Our results show that the change in aggressive responses in yellow warblers occurred mainly near roads. Birds occupying roadside territories on both islands, and therefore having regular experience of traffic noise, may have learned to increase physical aggression when the territorial intrusion was accompanied by traffic noise,' said Akcay. [ Related: Noise pollution messes with beluga whales' travel plans. ] This effect of living on a roadside territory was even present on Floreana Island, which only has about 10 vehicles on it. According to the team, this suggests that even minimal experience of car traffic affects responses to noise. The Galápagos yellow warblers on the more populous island of Santa Cruz also increased the duration of their song when confronted by traffic noise. Long-term selection based on noise experience, or an individual bird's previous experience of noise could allow the birds to adapt and adjust parts of their songs. 'We also found some evidence of birds trying to cope with noise by adjusting their song, with yellow warblers in all habitats increasing the minimum frequency of their songs to help them be heard above the traffic noise,' said Akcay. The birds also increased the minimum frequencies of their songs during the noise experiments, whether or not their territory was close to the road. This helped reduce any overlap of their songs with the low-frequency traffic noise. 'Our study shows the importance of considering behavioural plasticity in conservation efforts and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of noise pollution on wildlife,' said Akcay. 'It also highlights the significant impact of human activities on wildlife behaviour, even in relatively remote locations such as the Galápagos Islands.'
The Guardian
20-03-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Traffic noise triggers road rage among male Galápagos birds
If the rumble of trucks, honk of car horns and bustle of the roads leaves you irritable, you are not alone – researchers say the sound of traffic can leave birds in a rage, too. Researchers have found male Galápagos yellow warblers that live near busy roads on the islands behave more aggressively when they hear songs from another male if they occur in the presence of traffic sounds. The researchers say the findings might be down to the birds realising that their own songs, which act as a warning towards intruders to their territory, could be masked by the sound of the traffic. 'Communication usually is in lieu of physical aggression but, if the communication is not possible because of noise, then they might actually engage in risky behaviours that would lead to a physical fight,' said Dr Çağlar Akçay, a co-author of the research from Anglia Ruskin University. Writing in the journal Animal Behaviour, the team reported how they studied the behaviour of 38 males on two islands in the Galápagos. While 20 of the birds lived near roads, 18 nested away from traffic. Within the territory of each male, the team played two recorded soundtracks on different days. One soundtrack only featured the song of another male Galápagos yellow warbler, while the other additionally featured traffic sounds. The team found males that lived near busy roads behaved more aggressively in the latter case, approaching and flying around the speaker in search of the intruder. Akçay said that while one possibility was that they got closer to make themselves heard, not all males sang as they approached – suggesting they were ready for a dust-up. 'If there was an actual bird instead of a speaker, that would mean … a challenge, essentially, and that could result in a physical fight,' he said. By contrast, males that lived away from roads showed less aggression when traffic noises were present – possibly, the team suggests, because they were scared by the unfamiliar sound. The scientists said males living on the more densely populated Santa Cruz Island sang for longer when traffic sounds were present, while the reverse was true for those on the more sparsely populated Floreana Island. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion However, across the board, males slightly increased the minimum frequencies of their songs when traffic sounds were played – possibly to make it easier for others to hear them. And, while an increase in peak frequency was only seen in males that lived away from traffic, the team suggests that could be because the birds that lived near roads were already singing at the optimum peak frequency. Akçay said it was possible birds that were better able to deal with traffic noise settled near roads but, alternatively, it could be that birds adapt as a result of living near traffic. And, because there are very few people on Floreana, that raises another point. 'Even that little experience [of traffic], apparently, has some effect,' he said. 'We have to think about noise pollution even in places like Galápagos, I think, and the impact of noise pollution on the unique species there.'
