City birds appear more afraid of women than men, and scientists have no idea why

image via New Scientist

April 28, 2026, 8:00 PM

• •Urban birds in Europe are more afraid of women than men.
• •The study found that birds let men get closer before flying away.
• •Researchers are unsure why this happens, but suggest birds might use chemical or physical cues.
• •The fear response was consistent across various bird species.

A recent study revealed that urban birds in Europe exhibit a greater fear response to women than men, with the animals allowing men to approach them more closely before fleeing. Researchers, who observed this behavior across various bird species, are unsure of the underlying reasons. They speculate that the birds might be using chemical signals or physical cues to distinguish between genders, but further investigation is needed. The study's authors emphasize the birds' sophisticated ability to assess their environment and highlight the complexity of avian behavior.

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