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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Maria Zwart, Dr Jonathon DunnORCiD, Professor Philip McGowan, Professor Mark WhittinghamORCiD
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In birds, anthropogenic noise has been linked to reduced breeding densities and success, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are currently unclear. In this study, we investigated whether wind turbine noise, an increasingly common source of anthropogenic noise in remote and rural locations, affects territory defense in a songbird, the European robin (Erithacus rubecula). We showed that robins increase low-frequency song elements in response to territorial intrusion under quiet conditions but that this response did not occur in the presence of wind turbine noise. These results are particularly interesting in light of previous work implicating low- frequency song in aggression, perhaps as a signal of body size. Thus, anthropogenic noise may affect their ability to deter an intruder, leading to expenditure of extra time and energy, to increased risks of injury and, as a consequence, reduced breeding success. Our study contributes to understanding the impact of anthropogenic noise on birds by linking disruptive noise and territorial behavior, which may be a mechanism underlying the reduction in bird breeding densities and success that has been reported in noisy areas.
Author(s): Zwart MC, Dunn JC, McGowan PJK, Whittingham MJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Behavioral Ecology
Year: 2016
Volume: 27
Issue: 1
Pages: 101-108
Print publication date: 01/01/2016
Online publication date: 12/08/2015
Acceptance date: 21/07/2015
ISSN (print): 1045-2249
ISSN (electronic): 1465-7279
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: https://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/27/1/101.full?sid=1084db54-c69c-499a-91d1-9a408de40b97
DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv128
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