How do animals adapt to survive in cities? Brock University researchers are hoping a little birdie will tell them.<\/p>\n
A research project led by Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Kiyoko Gotanda and Biological Sciences PhD student Michelle Ross is examining the effects of urbanization on black-capped chickadees to gain broader insight into wildlife in urban environments.<\/p>\n
The team is monitoring the birds by installing Brock-branded nest boxes between 282 and 285 Ontario St. in St. Catharines, a busy stretch of road once home to an automotive manufacturing plant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve chosen the black-capped chickadee because it\u2019s abundant in both urban and rural areas, making it an excellent candidate for studying how animals adapt to city life,\u201d Gotanda says. \u201cBy installing nest boxes and monitoring the birds that use them, we\u2019re able to track their reproductive success and observe their behaviours in urban settings, where they face different challenges than their rural counterparts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ross says urban birds tend to be bolder, more curious and more stressed than their rural counterparts. The researchers are exploring whether these traits are connected to physiological changes, such as altered hormone levels, and if they are harmful or beneficial in the long run.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019re really interested in is how urbanization is influencing these birds over time,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about seeing if they can survive in cities, it\u2019s about understanding how these urban environments are changing them, both physically and behaviourally.\u201d<\/p>\n
The research is focused on understanding the role of stress hormones such as corticosterone, which can affect behaviours such as aggression and neophobia, the fear of new things. These traits may help birds adapt in the short term but could have serious long-term health consequences.<\/p>\n
The team\u2019s findings will contribute to a growing body of knowledge in urban ecology. Their goal is to establish a long-term monitoring project, providing critical data on how urbanization affects wildlife.<\/p>\n
Fourteen nest boxes built by Brock\u2019s Machine Shop have already been installed, with plans to expand their study in the coming months by adding more boxes to\u00a0the University\u2019s research farm<\/a><\/span>\u00a0on Merrittville Highway once the ground thaws.<\/p>\n \u201cUrban environments are complex, and we don\u2019t fully understand how they affect wildlife yet,\u201d Gotanda says. \u201cBut this project is a step toward filling that gap. By understanding how chickadees are adapting, we can better inform urban planning to make our cities more wildlife-friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n As Niagara and St. Catharines become more urbanized, Gotanda and Ross are committed to understanding how these changes impact local wildlife. Their research aims to expand knowledge in urban ecology and guide future conservation efforts that will help make cities more sustainable for both people and animals.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we\u2019re doing is part of a larger effort to help wildlife thrive in cities,\u201d Ross says. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about creating spaces for birds; it\u2019s about creating environments where urban ecosystems can flourish.\u201d<\/p>\n The research includes support from the City of St. Catharines, which has granted permission for the installation of the bird boxes on city property. The City is also working closely with local arts collective Willow Arts Community to integrate the boxes into vibrant murals painted along Ontario Street. These murals will emphasize both the research project and the broader conversation about wildlife in urban spaces.<\/p>\n The project is supported by the\u00a0Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada<\/a><\/span>, which is funded by the Government of Canada, and Brock University.<\/p>\n