Species traits explain public perceptions of human–bird interactions

Abstract

The impacts of urbanization on bird biodiversity depend on human–environment interactions that drive land management. Although a commonly studied group, less attention has been given to public perceptions of birds close to home, which can capture people's direct, everyday experiences with urban biodiversity. Here, we used ecological and social survey data collected in the metropolitan region of Phoenix, Arizona, USA, to determine how species traits are related to people's perceptions of local bird communities. We used a trait‐based approach to classify birds by attributes that may influence human–bird interactions, including color, size, foraging strata, diet, song, and cultural niche space based on popularity and geographic specificity. Our classification scheme using hierarchical clustering identified four trait categories, labeled as Metropolitan (gray, loud, seedeaters foraging low to ground), Familiar (yellow/brown generalist species commonly present in suburban areas), Distinctive (species with distinguishing appearance and song), and Hummingbird (hummingbird species, small and colorful). Strongly held beliefs about positive or negative traits were also more consistent than ambivalent ones. The belief that birds were colorful and unique to the regional desert environment was particularly important in fortifying perceptions. People largely perceived hummingbird species and birds with distinctive traits positively. Similarly, urban‐dwelling birds from the metropolitan trait group were related to negative perceptions, probably due to human–wildlife conflict. Differences arose across sociodemographics (including income, age, education, and Hispanic/Latinx identity), but explained a relatively low amount of variation in perceptions compared with the bird traits present in the neighborhood. Our results highlight how distinctive aesthetics, especially color and song, as well as traits related to foraging and diet drive perceptions. Increasing people's direct experiences with iconic species tied to the region and species with distinguishing attributes has the potential to improve public perceptions and strengthen support for broader conservation initiatives in and beyond urban ecosystems.

Characterizing personalized ecologies

“…However, it is clear that the popularity, appeal, and knowledge differ greatly both in terms of broad taxonomic groups and amongst species within particular groups (e.g., Batt, 2009; Cox & Gaston, 2015; Stokes, 2007; Yli‐Panula & Matikainen, 2014). With groups such as birds these differences can often be explained in terms of traits, such as morphology, colour, song, and behaviour (e.g., Andrade et al., 2022). Preferences can also be exhibited for combinations of the abundance and richness of species assemblages (e.g., Cox & Gaston, 2015; Lindemann‐Matthies et al., 2010; Soga, Evans, et al., 2021; Soga, Fukano, et al., 2021; Tribot et al., 2019).…”

Perceptions of Birds by Urban Residents in an Australian Regional City and Implications for Conservation

“…Sixty-one bird species were selected for the survey to assess the perception of species with a wide range of appearances, behaviours, and local familiarity (see Appendix A); these traits have been shown to be important when considering people's perceptions of birds [20]. These included species locally indigenous to Ballarat, native to Australia but not indigenous to Ballarat, and 'exotic' bird species (i.e., both non-native species that have naturalised in Ballarat and bird species not found in Australia).…”

“…Birds are a charismatic and easily recognised faunal group within urban environments. Some research suggests that personal experience, attractiveness, and perceived intelligence of animals influence human attitudes towards animals [19,20]. In the United States, small birds such as hummingbirds, robins, cardinals, and blue jays were well liked in residential areas [19].…”

“…The extent to which a species is liked seems to vary according to species' behaviours, for example the roosting habits of Common Starlings in Europe are considered undesirable by urban residents due to the resultant uncleanliness of buildings [6]. Furthermore, negative perceptions of birds considered urbandwelling were attributed to human-wildlife conflict [20]. Positive attitudes towards birds may be positively correlated with factual knowledge about birds, particularly in children and adolescents [21].…”

Drab and distant birds are studied less than their fancy-feathered friends

“…Relative to many other taxa, birds are well studied (Bonnet et al 2002, Clark and May 2002)—especially in North America and Europe (Ducatez and Lefebvre 2014)—and receive considerable conservation support, but some birds may be disproportionately favored in conservation and research due to human biases. On average, humans tend to prefer bird species that are larger (Correia et al 2016, Schuetz and Johnston 2019), more colorful (Lišková and Frynta 2013, Echeverri et al 2020), and boldly patterned (Frynta et al 2010, Vall-llosera and Cassey 2017, Garnett et al 2018, Schuetz and Johnston 2019, Andrade et al 2022). Specifically, evidence suggests that people prefer birds with blue, yellow, and green plumage (Lišková and Frynta 2013, Senior et al 2022), lighter plumage (Lišková and Frynta 2013), and birds with crests (Echeverri et al 2020; but see Schuetz and Johnston 2019).…”