Birds become more aggressive when exposed to traffic noise, according to new research highlighting how human activity can disrupt wildlife behaviour.

A study by experts at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge examined how vehicle noise pollution affects yellow warblers in the Galapagos Islands.

The researchers found that birds living closer to roads exhibited heightened aggression compared to those in quieter, more remote areas. The excessive noise is believed to interfere with birds’ communication, prompting more confrontational responses.

ARU senior lecturer Dr Caglar Akcay said the results highlighted the “significant impact” humans had on wildlife and hoped it would help improve conservation efforts.

To test this, researchers simulated the presence of an intruder by playing recorded birdsong through a speaker at 38 different locations. Twenty of these sites were within 50 meters (164 feet) of a road, while the other 18 were more than 100 meters (328 feet) away. They measured vocal and physical responses—such as birds flying at the speaker or approaching it closely—to gauge aggression.

The findings revealed that traffic noise blocked key communication channels, causing the birds to react more aggressively. Even low levels of noise were enough to influence their behaviour.

Interestingly, during noise experiments, the birds raised the minimum frequency of their songs—regardless of how close they were to the road—possibly to avoid overlapping with the low-frequency rumble of traffic.

Dr. Caglar Akcay, senior lecturer at ARU, said the research underscores the “significant impact” human noise has on wildlife and could help shape future conservation strategies.

“Our study shows the importance of considering behavioural plasticity in conservation efforts and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of noise pollution on wildlife,” Dr Akcay said.

“It also highlights the significant impact of human activities on wildlife behaviour, even in relatively remote locations such as the Galapagos Islands.”

The study also involved scientists from the Konrad Lorenz Research Centre at the University of Vienna.

The Galapagos Islands, over 500 miles off Ecuador’s coast, famously inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

 

 

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