Larger Cities Bird Brain

Birds need a bigger brain to be able to survive in a difficult urban environment.

A group of researchers from Sweden and Spain, led by Alexei Maklakov biologist, conducted a survey of 82 species of sparrows, including sparrows and other bird species that commonly roost in 12 major cities in central European region.

They then divide the birds into groups that were born and raised in urban as well as their large suburban area. Then the researchers compared the brain size of the two groups of bird.

The result, as published in the journal Biology Letters, birds that live in big cities have bigger brains than similar birds that live in the countryside.

Researchers estimate, birds need bigger brains than birds in other areas to be able to survive in a challenging urban environment.

"This is the first time the size of the brain known to be a major factor of success of a species to survive in the neighborhood," said Maklakov, as quoted from Earthweek, 30 April 2011.

However, still there are some exceptions. "Some bird species, small-brained species was lucky enough to still be able to survive in urban areas close to their natural habitat," he said.

In its report, the researchers also noted, the city government who would like to invite wild birds to live in his city needs to make their region as closely as possible to the original habitat of the birds.