Author(s)

Jialu Xia ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Shanghai High School International Division, No.989, Baise Road, Shanghai, 200231, China

Corresponding Author

Jialu Xia

ABSTRACT

Urban environments test the behavioral flexibility of birds, forcing them to adapt to anthropogenic stressors. This study examines nesting choices made by five common urban bird species in Shanghai in relation to urban pressures—specifically noise disturbance, pedestrian movement, vehicle flow, and water accessibility—using data from 85 nests surveyed across five green spaces from January to March 2025. The results show that Spotted Dove, Little Egret, and Night Heron often nest at higher elevations in noisier or busier settings, suggesting species-specific adaptive responses. These results highlight the importance of avian behavioral plasticity in urban ecology and support long-term, species-level monitoring to strengthen biodiversity conservation strategies. 

KEYWORDS

Urban Adaptation, Nesting Behavior, Nest Site Selection, Nest Height, Anthropogenic Disturbance

CITE THIS PAPER

Jialu Xia, Behavioral Flexibility in Urban Birds: Nesting Adaptations in Cities. Environment, Resource and Ecology Journal (2025) Vol. 9: 28-38. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/erej.2025.090204.

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