Urbanization of Birds Causes Increased Aggression
A recent article by Gary Nunn expressed the rising aggressive trend birds have begun displaying in urban areas. He describes his grisly encounter with an ibis bird at his favorite café in Sydney’s botanical gardens. The image displays an ibis flaring its wings with a deathly stare, ready to fight. The ibis is portrayed as “sinister,” and as Nunn charged towards the bird in an attempt to scare it off, the bird remained unfearful. It is easy to assume that the large bird is coming to steal Nunn’s lunch. This gives a visual for the audience to recall their past experiences with unruly birds in urban areas. Nunn suggests that the birds increased aggression is a product of their adaptation. However, other articles argue that urban birds are not only becoming aggressive but are learning to adapt to a newer, crowded environment.
After researching the internet about increased bird aggression, several articles appeared with article titles suggesting birds are becoming aggressive. One article by Virginia Tech titled, “City birds again prove to be angrier than rural birds” implying that urban birds are becoming more hostile than usual. Another article published by the BBC shares warnings from wildlife experts stating that bird attacks are becoming more regular as humans continue to evade their nesting territories.
Mammalian Biology published an article a few days after Nunn, reflecting an experiment performed to determine whether urbanized animals are becoming aggressive, tolerant, or avoidant. This experiment studied both rural and urban populations at different times of the day. It asserts the truth that urban animals have become aggressive in an attempt to adapt to city life.
Investigating experts that mainly study birds insinuate that birds are, in fact, become more aggressive. The director of the National Audubon Society, Andrea Jones, states that “Most of the incidents arise when birds are trying to raise their young.” Jones compares bird attacks to mother bears protecting their cubs. In addition, Max Matza, a BBC News reporter, mentions climate change as having a negative effect on birds’ aggression. As animals continue to lose their habitats and suffer droughts, the search for nesting grounds has placed another burden on birds.
Expert and Doctor Kiki Sanford explains how testosterone and population density are common indicators of aggression. Other indicators included the increased availability of food. Scott Davies, a postdoctoral associate in biological sciences, proclaimed that the opportunity for birds to live near humans “provides better food and shelter,” at the expense of more competition since resources are limited.
Another experiment by Virginia Tech and Radford University campuses showed that urban birds displayed higher levels of aggression through body language and singing. When approached, the birds would flap their wings vigorously while singing loudly, followed by a low distorted song, commonly seen in birds before attacking. However, when approaching rural birds, the birds retorted with the same low song but was not performed as strongly as the urban birds.
Through further research, it seems Nunn was accurate in his observation of the increased aggression urban birds are now displaying. Birds are continuing to learn how to adapt to urbanized environments. Experts and studies agree that as humans continue to move into nesting territories and provide nourishment, whether intentional or unintentional, birds are becoming more hostile. Bird behavior is changing as a consequence of survival of the fittest.
Cited Work
“City Birds Again Prove to Be Angrier than Rural Birds.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 15 July 2016, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160715113556.htm.
Matza, Max. “Why US Bird Attacks on Humans Are on Rise.” BBC News, BBC, 17 July 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48993220.
Nunn, Gary. “Is It Just Me, or Are Urban Birds Becoming Increasingly Aggressive?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 5 Oct. 2020, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/06/is-it-just-me-or-are-urban-birds-becoming-increasingly-aggressive.
R. Andrzejewski, J. Babińska-Werka, et al. “Changes in the Social Behavior of Urban Animals: More Aggression or Tolerance?” Mammalian Biology, Springer International Publishing, 1 Jan. 1978, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42991–020–00075–1#citeas.