Victoria Langham

First Name: 
Victoria
Last Name: 
Langham
Mentor: 
Dr. James Bednarz
Abstract: 
Sound pollution, a building form of pollution, is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as an unwanted sound which disturbs normal activity. We studied the responses of a local, breeding population of Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris) to sound pollution through four variables: traffic frequency, ambient sound, behavioral responses of Painted Buntings to traffic disturbance, and song frequency of buntings. We hypothesize the level of noise pollution negatively impacts behavior and nesting success of Painted Buntings. Average songs per minute were found to be significantly higher in the experimental area, when compared to the control; suggesting sound incurs extra energy costs on buntings.
Poster: 
Effect of Road Construction on Breeding Painted Buntings
Year: 
2021