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

Female scientist standing with large microphone and binoculars in a meadow.

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

Urban traffic noise causes song learning deficits in birds
 

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

Traffic noise affects normal stress reactions in zebra finches and delays offspring growth

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

Reptile vocalization is surprisingly flexible

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

Singing in the flight lane

Singing in the flight lane

September 08, 2016

Birds adjust their singing activity around airport noise more

I’m singing in the rainforest

Researchers find striking similarities between bird song and human music more

Clamorous city blackbirds

Clamorous city blackbirds

January 11, 2013

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

Cuckolded males sing louder

Cuckolded males sing louder

August 23, 2012

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

Go to Editor View