Urban birds appear to react differently to men and women, with an international study finding that birds are more likely to flee when women approach than when men do. Researchers say the reason for the difference remains unclear.
The study, conducted across five European countries, examined how birds responded to male and female volunteers walking toward them in parks, gardens and other green spaces.
Researchers found that men could approach birds about one metre closer than women before the birds took flight, suggesting that urban birds may be able to distinguish between the sexes.
The experiments covered 37 bird species in Germany, France, Poland, the Czech Republic and Spain, including sparrows, crows and other common urban birds.
Although the findings indicate that birds respond differently to men and women, researchers were unable to determine how the animals identify the difference or why they appear more cautious around women.
Scientists suggested that birds might recognize differences in physical characteristics or walking patterns between men and women. However, these explanations remain hypotheses rather than established conclusions.
Researchers described the findings as surprising, acknowledging that they had identified a consistent behavioural pattern without being able to explain its underlying cause.
The results nevertheless highlight birds’ ability to assess their surroundings and respond to subtle differences in their environment. Researchers plan to conduct further studies to investigate the reasons behind the behaviour.
