Animals
| Almost 20 percent of all known bird species, like pigeons, thrive in some of the largest cities in the world, and have learned to adapt to city life. What can these city dwelling birds teach us? |
The sun’s rays shine down, and it is a beautiful day to take a stroll in the city park. On a bench sits a gentleman throwing seeds to feathered urban dwellers foraging for a feast. Nearly 20 percent of all known bird species, like pigeons, thrive in some of the largest cities in the world, and have learned to adapt to city life. Today scientists are learning a lot from these city dwelling birds.
Characteristics of Urban Birds
Whether you consider them wildlife or pests, scientists have observed several different characteristics of urban avian. They have lower stress hormone levels, more behavioral flexibility than their country counterparts, and higher levels of risk taking, hence small thieves pilfering a bit of bread. These species also have stronger immune systems, and they are less affected by toxic substances. When confronted by humans, they can fly shorter distances to avoid contact. On average they have a longer adult survival rates and higher reproductive rates. These urban birds can rebound after cities have tried extermination tactics that usually decimates their populations.
Food Adaptation
Scientists and the occasional human with a penchant for feeding birds have observed several adaptations. In cooler climates artificial lights, such as street lamps, are essential for longer foraging periods. Food is an unpredictable resource, so they tend to forage in parks or any other areas where there is an abundance of food. City birds are flexible with the types of food they consume. Their country cousins usually only eat twice a day and fully digest their food in between meals, yet these urban living birds have adapted eating patterns to when they know the most food will be available. Crows have learned to forage in garbage dumps, and finches, sparrows, and other small species have benefited from hanging bird feeders in backyards.| Related articles |
Habitation
Common city birds like pigeons, starlings, and sparrows have adapted their environments for habitation. Parapets and ledges simulate tall rocky cliffs for pigeons to nest in like their descendants, wild rock doves. Sparrows and finches find shelter in pipes or underneath tile roofs. Falcon roosts can be found underneath bridges and girders and snowy owls like to nest in windy, snow covered airfields. New homes are surprisingly similar to their wild habitats. A Pest Detective from a pest control in Surry BC, tells us that many birds that are considered pests are the ones who protect their nests aggressively like the European Starling, which swoops at people who get too close for comfort. They are adapting to their human environment and becoming more aggressive in order to live near them.
Communication Adaptation
Research has shown that birds in the cities have adapted their communications calls. City birds will produce alarm calls more frequently. Urban birds have learned to sing at a higher pitch so their songs can be heard above the noise and traffic of the city. This is an amazing adaptation that has allowed the species to become permanent fixtures in their city homes.A range of different kinds of birds have adapted to the city, making them the new wildlife among city dwellers. Learning to adapt has saved many species from extinction, and has proved which kinds of species are the fittest for evolutionary change. Scientists studying these birds are using their research to help save more exotic birds from dying out, and learning which kinds of birds will be able to survive in future.
| By Brooke Chaplan Author Bio - Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and recent graduate of New Mexico University where she studied journalism. She loves to hike, bike, run and explore around her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She also enjoys blogging about health, fitness, fashion and many other topics. | Embed |
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