“In order to survive and reproduce, it is imperative for birds to be able to transmit their signals to each other. Now it seems they may be having trouble doing so in urban areas,” said Peter Marra, a co-author of the study and an SCBI ecologist and conservation scientist.

City noise masks certain lower sound frequencies, making it more difficult for birds to hear one another’s calls over long distances. In addition, hard surfaces—such as buildings—can reflect and distort higher frequency sounds by scattering sound waves and creating multiple reverberations. This affects how far the sound travels and changes the structure of the sound, which can make it sound very different by the time it reaches the receiver.

The results of the researchers’ analysis showed that although there was some variation by species, the birds tended to sing higher notes in areas where there was general noise. The birds tended to sing lower and deeper notes, however, in areas where there were many buildings and hard surfaces. But when the two conditions combined, the birds had trouble altering their songs to accommodate both factors.

By vocalizing, birds are able to identify and locate other members of their species, attract mates and defend their territory. So their ability to adapt to urban living could affect their survival. As urban areas develop rapidly, researchers will continue to investigate how sound from these busy areas affects birds and the effects of development on sound transmission.

WWF US (& Canada)

World Wildlife Fund is one of our world’s most recognizable wildlife conservation groups.  Established over 45 years ago, their focus is on protecting the future of nature.  Aside from offering one of the most extensive online gift store item selections (WWF Canada has donated the black-footed ferret adoption kit for the current contest on this blog’s homepage), WWF US offers a range of wallpapers for your desktop including polar bears, snow leopards, panda bears, tigers, penguins, and many other scenes.  All you have to do is sign up for their newsletter.

WWF – UK

WWF – UK offers two screensavers for download, one featuring a variety of adult animals and one with a selection of baby animals.  PC and MAC versions.

Snow Leopard Trust

Since 1981, the Snow Leopard Trust has led the world in studying and protecting the endangered snow leopard.  They offer a downloadable screensaver of photographs from finalists in their 2007 photo contest, as well as one featuring children’s creative and colorful posters from the 2008 poster contest.  Screensavers for MAC are currently being developed.

African Wildlife Foundation

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is the leading international conservation organization focused on protecting Africa’s wildlife and wild landscapes.  For over 45 years, the organization has worked towards the future prosperity of Africa and its people.  The AWF screensaver has over 15 different photographs of beautiful African wildlife.  As well, if you don’t like a changing screensaver, they have a single picture screensaver of a gorilla and one of an African Elephant.  Available for both PC and MAC.

Orangutan Foundation International

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas’ foundation is dedicated to preserving and nurturing orangutans.  OFI’s main focus is on continuing the research and conservation activities at the historic Camp Leakey site in the Tanjung Putting Reserve in Central Borneo.  The site was named after Louis Leakey, the famous anthropologist who mentored and inspired Dr. Galdikas, Dr. Goodall and Dian Fossey.  The Foundation offers a choice of four photographic orangutan wallpapers.

CARE Canada

For readers who prefer to have photographs of people as screensavers or wallpaper, check out CARE Canada.  The organization is dedicated to defending dignity and fighting poverty by empowering women and girls, the world’s most vulnerable and greatest resource for change.  This blog’s first homepage article was about one of CARE Canada’s programs.  They offer several human-focused screensavers and wallpapers.

Conservation International

This leading international organization builds on science, partnerships and field demonstrations to care for nature as well as the well-being of humanity.  They have 49 screensavers to choose from, featuring a wide range of human, animal and landscape subjects.

International Crane Foundation

This international organization is dedicated to crane conservation, field ecology, education, veterinary services, and site administration.  They offer a screensaver which is a photograph of two grey-crowned cranes at dawn on the beach in South Africa.  It’s a great photograph but it’s copyrighted so I won’t publish it here – you’ll have to go look at their website to see it. 

The Ocean Project

If you prefer a changing photo that’s not on your desktop, you can enjoy a daily look at The Ocean Project’s Ocean Picture of the Day.  A Newfoundland photo was up the day I looked, and although it took a moment to load it was worth the wait.  It’s like a 30-second holiday by the sea!

A Few Sounds

For my readers who are more hearing-focussed than visually-oriented, check out the different North American Bird Sounds at the bottom of the Organizations list on Acres Land Trust.  The Trust helps to protect the remaining natural habitats in northeast Indiana, southern Michigan and northwest Ohio, and to teach others the value of keeping natural areas intact.