City birds are quicker to get in a fight than rural cousins
CITY life often brings out the aggressive side in humans – and the same seems to be true of birds.
A study found that great tits living in cities are bolder than their country cousins and defend their territory with far more aggression.
Scientists believe birds adjust their behaviour depending on their habitat – and the amount of human interference to which they are exposed.
While urban tits are bad tempered, which scientists think is because of the constant stress they experience from humans, those in the country appear far more relaxed.
Dr Sam Hardman, of Aberystwyth University, evaluated aggression in urban and rural male great tits. Dr Hardman said: ‘At this time of year males establish territories for the breeding season and they defend these aggressively.
‘We simulated a territorial intruder by playing recordings of great tit song from a loudspeaker in the centre of the territory, and monitored the resident birds’ responses to defend that territory.’
The scientists measured a number of responses, including territorial singing and how quickly and closely the birds approached the perceived intruder.
Dr Hardman added: ‘We found that urban birds flew towards the speaker 35.34 seconds faster than rural birds and approached 1.63 metres closer, suggesting urban birds are bolder and more aggressive than rural birds.’