“Overall, the literature review showed that human-generated noise—whether from traffic, construction, or other activities—had significant effects on birds’ behavior and physiology. A bird species’ life history made a difference in how they responded to unnatural ambient noise. Cavity-nesting birds, for example, experienced negative impacts on growth compared to birds using open nests. City birds exhibited higher stress hormone levels than birds living in more tranquil habitats. And nearly every type of anthropogenic noise had a dampening effect on reproductive success.

The researchers assert that knowing the deleterious effects of human noise on birds should inspire us to buffer them from our noise pollution.”

—Devin Reece.

Full essay: The world is becoming too loud for birds.