As human movements were restricted to limit the spread of covid-19 in early 2020, dozens of bird species became more abundant in urban centres in the US and Canada.
at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, and her colleagues analysed 4.3 million observations made by volunteer birdwatchers to compare numbers during the pandemic restrictions with those in previous years.
Between March and May 2020, 66 of 82 species of birds observed by the birdwatchers across 93 North American counties displayed different land use patterns compared with those in the same months in pre-pandemic years. Most birds were seen spending more time in urban areas and near major roads and airports.
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The researchers adjusted the results to control for time spent birdwatching and the distance people had travelled to rule out the possibility that volunteers simply had more time to observe birds in urban regions at that time.
Birds probably flocked to such areas during the restrictions because there was less noise and air pollution from traffic, which dropped by 8 to 25 per cent across the included counties, says Koper. 鈥淭he fact that birds consistently moved into these areas when we reduced traffic tells us how much of an impact human traffic has on them.鈥�
Attracting more birds to urban spaces could help boost their numbers, which have declined by 3 billion in North America since 1970, largely due to habitat loss, says Koper.
In return, birds provide us with pest control, help pollinate our crops and gardens and improve our psychological well-being, she says. 鈥淩esearch shows if you鈥檙e surrounded by more species of birds, you have better mental and emotional health.鈥�
To keep birds in urban areas, we should find ways to continue limiting car and air traffic, says Koper. For example, we could invest in public transport and quieter, zero-emissions electric cars, promote working from home and hold more virtual events so that people don鈥檛 need to travel, she says.
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