Birds living in cities have different accents

CITY-dwelling birds have developed different accents from those in the countryside.

Their tweets have become higher-pitched to travel further in urban areas and to echo less off buildings.

The amazing phenomenon was revealed yesterday by wildlife scientists who analysed birdsong in areas which have many high-rise blocks such as London, Liverpool and Birmingham.

They found common species such as great tits and sparrows had adapted their voices.
 
Researcher Emily Mockford, of Aberystwyth University in Wales, said: "Because sounds bounce and travel in different ways, birds have to use songs that can cope with this. The higher notes mean the echoes disappear faster and the next note is clearer." The study is the first to pinpoint features in the environment — like London landmark the Gherkin, above— as the reason for great tits in particular having higher-pitched tweets than other birds.       Read Here