Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2025
Date of Submission
May 2025
Abstract
Nature-based tourism benefits economies, communities, and conservation initiatives, but it can also have unintended negative effects on wildlife. For birds, vocal communication is essential, yet it can be disrupted by anthropogenic noise. In this study, I used passive recording to examine how human visitation impacts the rate of bird vocalizations in the Bajo del Tigre Reserve in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Overall, bird vocalization rate was not affected by visitation (p > 0.05), but species-specific differences were found. Vocalizations of the lesser greenlet showed no significant change with visitation (p > 0.05). In contrast, the orange-billed nightingale-thrush exhibited a decrease in vocalization rates with increased visitation (p = 0.0499), while the long-tailed manakin showed a slight increase (p > 0.05). These patterns may reflect varying tolerance to human activity by species. Long-tailed manakins, for instance, may increase vocal activity to overcome background noise from human visitors, emit more alarm calls in response to perceived threats, or sing more frequently in the presence of humans who might deter natural predators. To reduce the impact of tourism on avian behavior, land managers should prioritize habitat conservation and consider limiting group sizes, particularly during the breeding and nesting seasons of vulnerable species.
Is Part Of
Publications from the Center for Environmental Studies
Comments
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Lesley Bulluck