In a new study from the University of Washington (UW), researchers looked at the impact of COVID-19 on bird behavior. They found that while the virus has not caused any health consequences for the animals, some changes in the behavior of the birds can be observed. Apparently, they seem to like it quite well in the asphalted city.
Investigation during Corona Lockdown
The study, published Aug. 11 in Scientific Reports magazine, shows that during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns, many birds were just as common in highly developed urban areas as they were in less developed green spaces. The results were published August 11 in the journal Scientific Reports. In a press release the researchers write:
“For people, the first few days of the COVID-19 pandemic have been a stressful time, marked by fear, isolation, canceled plans and uncertainty. But for birds living in the developed areas of the Pacific Northwest, the reduction in noise and commotion from the pandemic lockdowns may have allowed them to use a wider range of urban habitats.”
Study leader Olivia Sanderfoot commented on the study in the university statement. “Our results suggest that some birds were able to use more urban space because our human footprint was slightly smaller.” For about half of the species observed, neither land use nor roofing had an impact on site use. “This is very interesting because we would expect that whether a habitat is predominantly concrete or vegetation would tell us something about which birds are there,” Sanderfoot said.
Over 900 volunteer researchers
For their extensive study, the scientists recruited more than 900 volunteers from the population of the Pacific Northwest in spring 2020 to take part in the study. The volunteers chose their own observation sites — mostly backyards and parks where they could safely comply with public health codes — and recorded the birds they observed at least once a week for 10 minutes. This community science approach allowed the researchers to collect a large amount of data despite the lockdown lockdown.
Among the 35 species that showed the greatest behavioral changes were some of the area’s most well-known bird species, including black-capped tits, blue herons, downy woodpeckers and Wilson’s warblers. Researchers focused on a total of 46 bird species observed during more than 6,000 surveys.
While most people spent the spring of 2020 isolating in their homes, many ventured back outside over the course of the study period. As people returned to public spaces and human activities increased, the study volunteers recorded an increase in sightings of various species of birds. Since most observations took place in parks and backyards, which tend to be more vegetated, have larger canopies, and provide more resources for birds than other areas in cities, this could indicate that these green spaces are important refuges for urban birds .
According to the biologists, the results suggest that as cities become more urbanized, it is important to create and maintain green spaces to support urban wildlife: “The birds may have been elsewhere at the height of the lockdowns because the human activity was not as disruptive, and then returned to these vegetated areas when activity picked up again,” Sanderfoot said. “This could show us how important it is to integrate green spaces into our cities. That is the most important realization for me.”
picture of amrothman on Pixabay