Urban Birds More Fearful of Women Than Men, Study Finds
A new scientific study has revealed that birds living in urban areas are capable of distinguishing between men and women and react differently to them.
The research, published in December 2025 in the scientific journal People and Nature, examined 37 species of urban birds across five European countries. Researchers aimed to understand how birds change their behavior when humans approach them.
The study found that birds not only recognize the presence of humans but can also clearly differentiate between male and female individuals. Observations showed that birds tended to become frightened and fly away more quickly when women approached them, while they remained calm for a longer time in the presence of men.
Researchers also analyzed the distance at which birds began to feel threatened. According to the findings, men were able to get nearly one meter closer on average before the birds flew away.
Experts involved in the research said the behavior reflects birds’ intelligence and their ability to adapt to urban environments. However, the exact scientific reason behind the difference in response remains unclear.
According to researchers, birds may be responding to differences in human movement, voice, or body language, though further studies are needed to better understand this behavior.
