2018 is a big year for the birds – not only is it the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but National Geographic has also marked it as the Year of the Bird.

To begin with, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal for anyone to use birds, or their nests, or eggs for profit. However, birds face other dangers to their population, such as noise pollution.

A group of researchers at California Polytechnic State University have found a correlation between the birthing rates of western bluebirds and how close they are to areas with strong sources of noise pollution.

Western bluebirds are highly social birds that sport a distinct blue and orange covering – and, they are not especially sensitive to noise…

Keep the Noise Down!

The group of researchers studied a population of bluebirds residing in the desert of San Juan Basin in New Mexico.

San Juan Basin is a major producer of oil and gas, and holds the title of the second-largest gas field in the nation. This title comes with a price, however, as noisy gas compressors are scattered all across the desert. Even in areas without these compressors, their roars can still be heard.

Researchers compared chicks of bluebirds that live in quieter areas versus noisier areas. They found that chicks in noisier areas were not only smaller in stature, but also appeared to age faster.

It is also suspected that noise from the compressors is drowning out communication between a parent and its chick, as well as signals between birds to watch out for predators.

Birds are not the only ones affected by noise pollution -- grasshoppers and froghoppers are in trouble too. Another study cites a 24 percent drop in grasshopper numbers and a 52 percent drop for froghoppers living in these compressor-roaring areas. As insect populations dwindle, so do the food sources available for birds.

A World Without Birds?

You might be thinking – yes, noise can be distracting but how can it have such detrimental effects?

For starters, unlike us, birds are not visual creatures. So, Clinton Francis who published the study, asks us to imagine our vision is affected and we are only able to see 10 to 15 meters of a landscape, as opposed to miles.

Jonathon Franzen, author of the essay published in National Geographic entitled “Why Birds Matter, and Are Worth Protecting”, urges readers to get off the virtual world and immerse themselves in the real world, and all its wonders.

According to Franzen, if we were to see every species of bird on our planet, we would have covered the entire world -- for birds can be found from the frozen Antarctic to the barren deserts of Chile to cities like Manhattan. Some birds are more social than others, they each have a unique way of communicating, and some migrate over large distances while others stay close to home.

Birds are the best indicators of the health of an ecosystem. We humans have been challenging our feathered friends by polluting the environments where they live and thrive. Through partnerships with 100 organizations, National Geographic hopes to spread awareness and offer educational content. Join #BirdYourWorld today and make a change!

Sources: National Geographic, The Atlantic, Allaboutbirds.org, wbur.org, seeker.com, fws.gov