Aircraft sound exposure leads to song frequency decline and elevated aggression in wild chiffchaffs.

ABSTRACT: The ubiquitous anthropogenic low-frequency noise impedes communication by masking animal signals. To overcome this communication barrier, animals may increase the frequency, amplitude and delivery rate of their acoustic signals, making them more easily heard. However, a direct impact of intermittent, high-level aircraft noise on birds' behaviour living close to a runway has not been studied in detail. We recorded common chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita songs near two airports and nearby control areas, and we measured sound levels in their territories at Manchester Airport. The song recordings were made in between aircraft movements, when ambient sound levels were similar between airport and control populations. We also conducted playback experiments at the airport and a control populatio

SUBMITTER: Wolfenden AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8647924 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature