Multiple constraints on urban bird communication: both abiotic and biotic noise shape songs in cities.

ABSTRACT: Ambient noise can cause birds to adjust their songs to avoid masking. Most studies investigate responses to a single noise source (e.g., low-frequency traffic noise, or high-frequency insect noise). Here, we investigated the effects of both anthropogenic and insect noise on vocalizations of four common bird species in Hong Kong. Common Tailorbirds (Orthotomus sutorius) and Eurasian Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus) both sang at a higher frequency in urban areas compared to peri-urban areas. Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus) in urban areas shifted the only first note of their song upwards. Swinhoe's White-eye (Zosterops simplex) vocalization changes were correlated with noise level, but did not differ between the peri-urban and urban populations. Insect no

SUBMITTER: To AWY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8528541 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature