ORCID
- Sarah A. Collins: 0000-0002-0539-7241
Abstract
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 noise caused the Eurasian Tree Sparrow to reduce both maximum, peak frequency, and overall bandwidth of vocalizations. Insect noise also led to a reduction in maximum frequency in Red-whiskered bulbuls. The presence of both urban noise and insect noise affected the sound of the Common Tailorbirds and Eurasian Tree Sparrows; in urban areas, they no longer increased their minimum song frequency when insect sounds were also present. These results highlight the complexity of the soundscape in urban areas. The presence of both high- and low-frequency ambient noise may make it difficult for urban birds to avoid signal masking while still maintaining their fitness in noisy cities.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2021-07-13
Publication Title
Behavioral Ecology
Volume
32
Issue
5
ISSN
1045-2249
Acceptance Date
2021-05-12
Deposit Date
2024-06-04
Embargo Period
2021-12-03
First Page
1042
Last Page
1053
Recommended Citation
To, A., Dingle, C., & Collins, S. (2021) 'Multiple constraints on urban bird communication: both abiotic and biotic noise shape songs in cities', Behavioral Ecology, 32(5), pp. 1042-1053. Available at: 10.1093/beheco/arab058
Figure 2_v03.png (425 kB)
Figure 3.tif (33 kB)
Fig5a Minfreq all species (002).png (7 kB)
Fig 5b Maxfreqallspecies (002).png (7 kB)
Fig 5c Peak freq all species (002).png (7 kB)
Fig 5d Bandwidth all species (002).png (7 kB)
fig6bandwidth int CTB (002).png (7 kB)
fig 6a maxfreq int CTB (002).png (7 kB)
fig 6a maxfreq int CTB_v02 (002).png (13 kB)
fig 6b bandwidth int CTB_v02 (002).png (13 kB)
Additional Files
Figure 1.jpg (856 kB)Figure 2_v03.png (425 kB)
Figure 3.tif (33 kB)
Fig5a Minfreq all species (002).png (7 kB)
Fig 5b Maxfreqallspecies (002).png (7 kB)
Fig 5c Peak freq all species (002).png (7 kB)
Fig 5d Bandwidth all species (002).png (7 kB)
fig6bandwidth int CTB (002).png (7 kB)
fig 6a maxfreq int CTB (002).png (7 kB)
fig 6a maxfreq int CTB_v02 (002).png (13 kB)
fig 6b bandwidth int CTB_v02 (002).png (13 kB)
