Warning Study: Noise Threatens Birds and Reduces Their Breeding Opportunities

A recent study revealed the effects of environmental noise on birds, confirming that sounds from traffic, construction sites, and other human activities pose a direct threat to birds' behaviors and vital functions, including reproduction.

Global Analysis of Bird Species

An American research team conducted a comprehensive study involving 160 bird species across six continents, relying on a range of previous studies, and the results were published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
The study concluded that human noise has significant negative effects on birds, particularly in communication behaviors, mate searching, predator warning, and alerting chicks for food requests.

How Are Birds Affected?

Researcher Natalie Madden from the University of Michigan and Defenders of Wildlife stated that noise hinders birds from hearing important vocal signals from their species.

She added that cavity-nesting birds are more susceptible to being affected, while stress hormone levels rise in urban birds, negatively impacting their health and reproduction.

Global Decline in Bird Numbers

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reported in its latest report that the percentage of bird species experiencing population declines increased from 44% in 2016 to 61% in 2025, considering habitat loss and degradation, particularly due to intensive agriculture and deforestation, as the main cause of this phenomenon.

Call to Protect Birds

The study emphasizes the need to reduce environmental noise in natural and urban areas and to adopt policies for habitat protection to ensure the continuation of biodiversity and the preservation of bird populations worldwide.