Inter-individual variability in fear of humans and relative brain size of the species are related to contemporary urban invasion in birds.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Urbanization is the most prevailing cause of habitat transformation worldwide, differing from others by its intense levels of human activity. Despite its obvious impact on wildlife, it is still unclear why and how some species are able to adapt to urban settings. One possibility is that fear of humans and vehicles could preclude most species from invading cities. Species entering urban environments might be those that are more tolerant of human disturbance (i.e., tame species). Alternatively or in addition, urban invaders could be a fraction of variable species, with "tame" individuals invading urban habitats and other individuals remaining in rural areas.

Methodology

Using the contemporary urban invasion by birds in a recently established South American city, we

SUBMITTER: Carrete M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3079730 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature