News and research highlights from the research group "Animal Communication and Urban Ecology"

By uncovering the blinking communication of river birds, scientists have shed new light on the mechanisms and evolution of animal interactions. more

Study highlights the interplay of song development and territorial behavior in winter quarters more

Zebra finches also suffer from a suppressed immune function due to the chronic stress more

Noise pollution is one of the leading environmental health risks in humans. In zebra finches, noise affects their health and the growth of their offspring: Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen found that traffic noise suppresses normal glucocorticoid profiles in the blood, probably to prevent negative effects of chronically elevated levels on the organism. In addition, the young chicks of noise-exposed parents were smaller than chicks from quiet nests. more

Phenotypic plasticity of gecko calls reveals the complex communication of lizards more

Birds adjust their singing activity around airport noise more

Researchers find striking similarities between bird song and human music more

Birds can sing louder at higher frequencies and thereby make themselves heard in traffic noise more

Rock sparrows indicate their age and their reproductive success with their songs and react to infidelity with a higher song volume more