This is really cool and relates to our discussion this week.
There’s a sparrow in San Francisco that has traditionally had a specific type of call. When COVID and quarantine hit, life in San Fran got quieter, and the birds’ calls changed!
The article likened it to this: when we are at a loud cocktail party, we have to ‘yell’ to talk to our friends. Typically we are not discussing ground breaking topics at such parties because the atmosphere is not conducive to it. However, at a dinner party, the atmosphere is quieter and more intimate. This can lead to more developed and serious conversations, as well as speaking at a different level.
The sparrows experienced a similar event: without all the city noise, the bird was no longer screaming to be heard. Rather, it could focus more effort and time into its call, which became richer and more complex.
WOW!
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/09/pandemic-san-francisco-birds-song-improved/
