Light Pollution Has More Dramatic Effect on Circadian Rhythms of Social Birds than Isolated Birds, Study Finds

Light pollution has more dramatic effect on circadian rhythms of social birds than isolated birds, study finds

Light pollution, or artificial light at night (ALAN), is a widespread phenomenon in areas with dense human populations. Normally, animals use natural external cues, like sunlight and temperature, to synchronize their biological rhythms with the day-night cycle. However, ALAN is known to affect the biological rhythms of animals living within its range by altering physiological, molecular and behavioral mechanisms related to sleep-wake cycles (cir…

Study shows artificial light affects bird brains like a pollutant

Light pollution is a growing concern for the wellbeing of different animal species. Now researchers have found that artificial light is negatively impacting the brains of social birds. The study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, focused on the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) – a small bird found across Australia and islands of Indonesia. Zebra finches are a “model organism” widely used in studies in various scientific field…

How being social around ALAN can affect bird brains

Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts natural rhythms in animals in a similar way to a pollutant, according to international researchers, who studied the effect of dim ALAN on social and isolated birds. They found that social birds started daily activities earlier and had more disrupted natural rhythms in their brains compared to isolated birds when impacted by ALAN. The authors say social interactions exacerbate the effects of ALAN, and sug…