A study found that birds on the Galapagos Islands are becoming more aggressive due to noise pollution.

The research, published in the journal Animal Behavior, was conducted by conservationists from Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Vienna's Konrad Lorenz Research Centre.

It found that certain songbirds become real-life 'angry birds' when living near traffic noise.

The study's co-author Dr Caglar Akcay, Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology at the UK's Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: 'Birds use song during territorial defence as an aggressive signal.

'However, if external noise such as traffic interferes with the signalling, effectively blocking this communication channel, increasing physical aggression would be an appropriate response.'

Researchers tested the avians by playing songs and traffic noise at 38 sites on the Floreana and Santa Cruz islands. They observed the warblers' songs and physical reactions and found that birds near roads showed more aggression when traffic noise played, while those farther away were less aggressive.

On Santa Cruz, a busier island, warblers sang longer during noise tests, suggesting they adapt their songs based on past noise exposure.

All warblers also raised their song's minimum frequency during the experiments to help their calls stand out against low-frequency traffic sounds.

Dr Akcay noted that roadside birds likely learned to ramp up aggression during noisy intrusions, and adjusting song frequency also helps them cope with the noise.

He added: 'Our study shows the importance of considering behavioural plasticity in conservation efforts and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of noise pollution on wildlife.

'It also highlights the significant impact of human activities on wildlife behaviour, even in relatively remote locations such as the Galapagos Islands.'