Walks in nature can be more enjoyable through hearing, and birdsong plays a significant role. While not all songs are equally pleasing, a team of researchers sought to clarify which bird sounds are most agreeable to humans.
In a study published in the journal Frontiers in Bird Science, 84 participants evaluated songs from 123 wild birds common in Germany. Each song was scored on a scale of one to five, and researchers analyzed their acoustic features: amplitude, frequency, and complexity.
Among the key findings, the blackbird's song was particularly favored, possessing a narrower bandwidth and higher complexity. Generally, songs that deviate from frequency ranges sensitive to the human ear are preferred. Lower and stronger sounds, with less amplitude and frequency, are valued positively as they transmit further and are associated with a safer environment.
According to researcher Christoph Randler, songs with a narrower bandwidth and greater complexity were perceived as more pleasant. Those with more knowledge about birds tended to give higher scores, although no direct correlation was found.
The research suggests that our preferences might be linked to musical tastes, and some sounds may be easier to process. Furthermore, they concluded that listening to birdsong in nature reduces stress and can positively impact psychological well-being.
Researcher Nadine Kalb suggests that we might prefer sounds with higher amplitude and lower frequency because they indicate a safer, healthier, and more relaxing environment. Future plans include studying participants from different cultures and with more experience with birds.
