According to research recently conducted at England's Southampton University, light and noise pollution may inhibit the mating behaviors of robins living in urban areas. Scientists tracked the dominance behaviors of these birds, which are frequently found in city park habitats, and attempted to assess whether artificial lighting and urban noise affected how firmly they defended their territory.
Researchers placed a taxidermy robin and a recorded robin's song in park areas known to have a population of robins. They then observed the response of other robins in the area. Findings revealed that birds living closer to street lights and daytime road noise defended their territories less aggressively, which in turn indicates a weaker territorial defense instinct.
These findings have prompted scientists to ask more questions, including about the processes by which artificial lighting impacts a bird's territorial behaviors. Theories include the birds' circadian rhythms and the potential disruption from human populations.