Northern Ireland

Noise pollution is hampering birds communicating with each other

In spring, birds use song to show aggressiveness and to attain territory for nesting and breeding
In spring, birds use song to show aggressiveness and to attain territory for nesting and breeding In spring, birds use song to show aggressiveness and to attain territory for nesting and breeding

NOISE pollution is hampering birds communicating with each other, new evidence reveals.

Research from Queen's University Belfast shows man-made sounds mask signals between birds, and hinders their ability to communicate through song.

This is having a negative impact on mating rituals and competition for food and shelter.

It is feared this could lead to a severe decline in bird numbers as song is crucial to survival and reproduction.

The study said in spring, birds use song to show aggressiveness and attain territory for nesting and breeding.

This is becoming tougher due to noisy conditions created by humans. The findings raise concerns about the ability of birds to compete for resources under the growing extent of noise from human activities.

Dr Gareth Arnott, senior lecturer from the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen'st, studied bird song in detail and found that background noise masked crucial information.

"Sound is a great form of bird communication because it can carry beyond where birds can see," he said.

"Singing is one of the most common ways birds advertise that a territory belongs to them, and birds will perch near the edge of their territory to broadcast their claim to the maximum range. A strong, vibrant song will help defend a territory from intruders and attract a mate.

"We found that bird song structure can communicate aggressive intent, enabling birds to assess their opponent, but human-made noise can disrupt this crucial information passed between them by masking the complexity of their songs used for acquiring resources, such as territory and space for nesting. As a result, the birds receive incomplete information on their opponent's intent and do not appropriately adjust their response."

Noise pollution is hampering birds communicating with each other
Noise pollution is hampering birds communicating with each other Noise pollution is hampering birds communicating with each other