Urban Noise Causes Birds To Sing At Night

High daytime noise levels in urban areas have caused birds to sing at night to avoid the competition. This goes against the previous thought that streetlights were confusing birds into thinking it was day.

1 minute read

April 25, 2007, 12:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg

"Scientists from the University of Sheffield say there is a link between an area's daytime noise levels and the number of birds singing at night."

"Until now, light pollution had been blamed because it was thought that street lights tricked the birds into thinking it was still daytime."

"'The birds appear to be singing at night to avoid competition with high noise levels caused by our cities during the day,' Dr Fuller suggested."

"'Noise levels were 10 times higher in places where birds were singing at night.'"

FULL STORY: City birds sing for silent nights

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 in BBC

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