Traffic noise decreases nestlings’ metabolic rates in an urban exploiter

Abstract

High levels of anthropogenic noise produced in urban areas are known to negatively affect wildlife. Although most research has been focused on the disturbances of communication systems, chronic noise exposure can also lead to physiological and behavioural changes that have strong consequences for fitness. For instance, behavioural changes mediated by anthropogenic noise (e.g. quality of parental care) may alter development and could influence nestling phenotype. We tested if nestling metabolism was influence by traffic noise in an urban exploiter, the house sparrow Passer domesticus. We experimentally exposed breeding house sparrows from a rural area to a playback of traffic noise and we examined the impacts of this experimental procedure on metabolic rates and morphology of nestlings. We did not find an effect of traffic noise on the morphology of nestlings. Surprisingly, we found that disturbed nestlings had overall lower metabolic rates and mass-adjusted metabolic rates than undisturbed birds. Our results suggest a specific effect of noise exposure per se, rather than an indirect effect of anthropogenic noise through the quality of parental care. Both the proximate mechanisms and the ultimate consequences of such metabolic changes on nestlings remain unknown and deserve future experimental studies.

The Impact of Acute Loud Noise on the Behavior of Laboratory Birds

“…There is now considerable evidence for the negative impacts of noise levels on wild birds ( 46 – 48 ) such as temporary physical damage to ears ( 49 ), stress responses including increased corticosterone metabolites ( 50 , 51 ), telomere reduction ( 52 ), decreased in metabolic rate ( 53 ), decreased nestling size, and increased oxidative status ( 54 ), reduction in foraging ( 55 ), disturbance to vocal communication and risk perception ( 51 , 56 , 57 ) as well as decreased reproductive success [e.g., ( 51 , 57 , 58 )]. As the hearing range for birds significantly differs from that of rodents ( 59 ), it seems plausible that husbandry practices for rodents are not necessarily applicable for the good management of birds, including songbirds ( 45 ).…”

Does urbanization cause stress in wild birds during development? Insights from feather corticosterone levels in juvenile house sparrows (Passer domesticus)

“…Noise pollution could also directly disturb the nestlings, and as a result, increase nestling CORT secretion as previously shown in a few bird species (Kleist et al, ; Davies, Beck, & Sewall, ; but see Angelier, Meillère, Grace, Trouvé, & Brischoux, ). Previous studies have demonstrated that urban noise is associated with changes in nestlings growth, metabolism, and stress response, and with a reduced probability of survival in several bird species (e.g., tree swallows in Leonard & Horn, ; Injaian et al, ; white‐crowned sparrows ( Zonotrichia leucophrys orienta ) in Crino, Johnson, Blickley, Patricelli, & Breuner, ; house sparrows in Meillère, Brischoux, Ribout, & Angelier, ; Brischoux, Meillère, Dupoué, Lourdais, & Angelier, ; western bluebirds ( Sialia mexicana ) in Kleist et al, ). Light pollution may also result in an increase in feather CORT because it artificially increases the amount of time nestlings are active.…”

Nature vs. Nurture: Disentangling the Influence of Inheritance, Incubation Temperature, and Post-Natal Care on Offspring Heart Rate and Metabolism in Zebra Finches

“…We quantified energy metabolism in both parents and offspring by measuring oxygen consumption rates using multichannel open-circuit respirometry (Sable Systems Int., Las Vegas, NV, United States; Brischoux et al, 2017 ). We measured offspring when they were 32 ± 2.9 (range: 28–39) days-old, and we measured parents after they had finished reproduction [75 ± 26 days after their last foster nestling reached Day 30 (for those that successfully raised at least one nestling); 102 ± 20 days since their last laid egg (all birds)].…”