Paris (France) (AFP) – Threatened by intensive agriculture or climate change, birds around the world are also strongly affected by noise of human origin such as road traffic or construction sites, concludes a vast study published Wednesday, highlighting the existence of solutions.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 11:25

A team of researchers based in the United States conducted a large meta-analysis, drawing on a number of previous studies, to understand the effect of sound disturbance on 160 species of birds on six continents.

The database "includes many common species such as the house robin, the house sparrow, the starling or the great tit", explains to AFP Natalie Madden, of the NGO Defenders of wildlife, who carried out the study for the University of Michigan.

“We found that noise of human origin significantly affected various attitudes as well as physiology” and had “significant negative effects” on reproduction, conclude the authors of this study published by the British journal Proceedings B of the Royal Society.

The entire reproductive cycle is thus affected, from mating success to egg survival to the fledging of the chicks.

“Birds are very dependent on acoustic information. They sing to find mates, warn against predators and the chicks call their parents to tell them that they are hungry,” underlines Natalie Madden.

“So if there is a lot of noise in the environment, how can they hear the signals emitted within their own species?” she asks.

The effects differ depending on the birds and the situations. The growth of those who nest in caves is thus more likely to be affected, an unexpected result, while those who live in cities tend to have higher levels of stress hormones.

Electric clippers

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated in October that 61% of bird species in the world were seeing their populations decline, compared to 44% in 2016. The loss and degradation of habitats is the primary cause of this phenomenon, particularly under pressure from agriculture and logging, according to the IUCN.

A study published in 2023, based on an unprecedented mass of data, concluded that the intensification of agriculture was the main cause of a spectacular decline in birds in Europe, some 20 million of which disappear on average each year. That's 800 million fewer birds since 1980.

Concerning noise, the authors of the study published Wednesday believe that understanding its negative effects also makes it possible to remedy it.

"When we talk about biodiversity loss, so much seems inexorable and large-scale, but we know how to use other materials and build things differently to block out sounds," said Neil Carter of the University of Michigan, one of the authors.

The solutions are “numerous” and involve both technological innovations and changes in habits, according to Natalie Madden.

“In urban environments, electric or hybrid vehicles tend to be quieter than more traditional gasoline models. The same goes for many gardening tools such as mowers or leaf blowers,” she gives as an example.

This may also involve adjusting certain construction activities, suggests the researcher: “Operate machinery outside of the peak breeding season, avoid activity when birds are migrating through a certain region, or build elsewhere than in habitats that support vulnerable species.”

© 2026 AFP

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