Pollution makes birds sing better

Scientists think that pollution changes the tone of male birds and makes them sing better. This fact leads to the trend of 'polluting' of birds and harms to them.

>>>Serious poisoning because of seawater containing oil spills

Scientists focus on wild starling birds in Europe, whose food is earthworms in the area with a lot of waste water plants. The area is polluted by estrogen-like chemicals (hormones secreted from the female genitalia).

After identifying the poison of the eating birds, ecologist Shai Markman from Cardiff University, Wales and his colleagues experimented with starlings. There are 2 groups of experiments: one group eating clean worms and one eating worms infected with similar pollutants at the waste treatment plant.

A rock star bird singing. (Photo: Livescience)

Researchers say pollutants have significantly impacted and expanded the complex brain region that controls male singers' function. These males sing more often, 'composing' the longer, more complex songs that make females very excited.

Unfortunately, pollutants threaten the health of birds, reducing their immunity. Therefore, female birds must choose: or strong male birds or good song.

'Our results indicate that females prefer to mate with birds who are victims of more pollution,' Ms Buchana told LiveScience. 'It is very dangerous because we understand the extent to which pollution affects immune function. And it may also affect the breed and fertility of birds. Pollution will seriously threaten the number of birds. "

'And it is certain that all birds are affected in the same way , ' added Buchana.

The effects of pollutants on female birds are still unclear, but they are gradually maleized, with the beginning of singing when the female birds do not sing.

Reference: Livescience