A new study suggests that some city birds may respond differently depending on whether they are approached by a man or a woman. Researchers analyzed the behavior of 37 urban bird species across five European countries and found that, on average, birds allowed men to come slightly closer than women before flying away.
How the Study Worked
Scientists measured something called flight initiation distance — the distance at which an animal decides to flee from an approaching person. This is often used to understand how fearful or cautious animals are around humans.
The study included species such as pigeons, crows, sparrows, hooded crows, and blackbirds. Researchers observed birds in cities across the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Poland, and Spain.
What Researchers Found
Across 2,701 observations collected between April and July 2023, the team found that men could get about 3 feet, or roughly 1 meter, closer to birds than women could before the birds flew away.
This does not necessarily mean birds “like” men more. A more careful interpretation is that the birds appeared to be slightly less likely to flee immediately when approached by men.
Why Might This Happen?
Scientists do not yet know why this pattern appeared. Some possible explanations include differences in movement, body shape, walking style, scent, or other cues that birds may notice.
One expert suggested that walking style could be an important clue, but researchers stressed that the explanation is still unclear. The findings are interesting, but more research is needed before scientists can say exactly what is happening.
Why This Matters
The study shows that urban birds may pay closer attention to humans than we usually assume. It also raises an important point for wildlife research: human observers may not always be “neutral.” Even small differences between observers could affect how animals behave during scientific studies.
The Bottom Line
City birds seem to notice differences between people, and in this study, they tended to fly away sooner from women than from men. However, scientists still do not know why. For now, the finding remains a curious reminder that animals living around us may be observing humans just as carefully as we observe them.