Human activity forces Himalayan monal to change its voice

Human activity is changing the way a striking Himalayan bird lives and communicates, according to two recent studies by Indian researchers.

The Himalayan monal, known for the male’s bright green, blue and copper feathers, is deeply connected to the culture and identity of the Himalayan region. It is the state bird of Uttarakhand in India and the national bird of Nepal.

Researchers found that growing tourism, infrastructure development and noise pollution are putting increasing pressure on the bird and its habitat.

One study examined how climate change and human encroachment could affect the monal’s habitat in the Indian Himalayas. The findings suggest that the bird may increasingly be forced towards higher elevations as temperatures rise and human activity expands into alpine meadows.

This could leave the birds in smaller and more isolated areas. Such fragmentation may make it harder for different groups to breed and could increase the risk of population decline or local extinction.

A separate study focused on the monal’s calls in two valleys in Uttarakhand. Researchers recorded more than 700 calls over a year and compared birds living in a busy tourist area with those in a quieter valley.

The birds exposed to higher levels of traffic and tourist noise produced calls at higher frequencies. They also made shorter calls, apparently helping their sounds stand out against background noise.

Researchers stressed that the changes appear to be behavioural rather than permanent evolutionary changes. The findings suggest that the monal can adjust its communication in response to different sound environments.

Scientists say such changes could have wider consequences because bird calls play an important role in communication, including attracting mates and competing with rivals.

The monal is considered an indicator of the health of the Himalayan ecosystem. Its changing habitat and behaviour could therefore point to wider environmental pressure on other wildlife.

Researchers cautioned that the findings are preliminary and more studies are needed. However, they warned that unchecked tourism, urbanisation and climate change are placing growing pressure on the fragile Himalayan environment.