Which traits influence bird survival in the city? a review

Patankar, Swaroop and Jambhekar, Ravi and Suryawanshi, Kulbhushansingh Ramesh and Nagendra, Harini (2021) Which traits influence bird survival in the city? a review. Land, 10 (2). pp. 1-23. ISSN 2073-445X

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Abstract

Urbanization poses a major threat to biodiversity worldwide. We focused on birds as a well-studied taxon of interest, in order to review literature on traits that influence responses to urbanization. We review 226 papers that were published between 1979 and 2020, and aggregate information on five major groups of traits that have been widely studied: ecological traits, life history, physiology, behavior and genetic traits. Some robust findings on trait changes in individual species as well as bird communities emerge. A lack of specific food and shelter resources has led to the urban bird community being dominated by generalist species, while specialist species show decline. Urbanized birds differ in the behavioral traits, showing an increase in song frequency and amplitude, and bolder behavior, as compared to rural populations of the same species. Differential food resources and predatory pressure results in changes in life history traits, including prolonged breeding duration, and increases in clutch and brood size to compensate for lower survival. Other species-specific changes include changes in hormonal state, body state, and genetic differences from rural populations. We identify gaps in research, with a paucity of studies in tropical cities and a need for greater examination of traits that influence persistence and success in native vs. introduced populations.

Item Type: Article
Authors: Patankar, Swaroop and Jambhekar, Ravi and Suryawanshi, Kulbhushansingh Ramesh and Nagendra, Harini
Uncontrolled Keywords: Urbanization; Birds; Ecosystem services; Survival; Adaptations; Traits
Subjects: Natural Sciences > Life sciences; biology > Ecology
Divisions: Azim Premji University > School of Development
Full Text Status: Public
URI: http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/2465
Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/2/92

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