Traffic noise triggers road rage among male Galápagos birds

If the rumble of lorries, honk of car horns and bustle of the roads leaves you irritable, you are not alone - researchers say the sound of traffic can leave birds in a rage, too.

- Nicola Davis

Researchers have found that male Galápagos yellow warblers that live near busy roads on the islands behave more aggressively when they hear songs from another male if they occur in the presence of traffic sounds. The researchers say the findings may be down to the birds realising their own songs, which act as a warning towards intruders to their territory, could be masked by the sound of the traffic.