Biology
The Impact of Anthropogenic Noise on Acoustic Communication in Urban Bird Populations
Quick fact
Great tits living in noisy urban areas sing at a higher pitch than their rural relatives, and this shift is a direct response to the low-frequency rumble of traffic. This vocal adjustment helps their songs be heard above the noise, but it may also reduce their attractiveness to mates and their ability to defend territories.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard birds singing in a city park, but did you notice some species are missing? Why do some birds vanish from noisy streets while others seem to belt out their songs?