Effect of birdsong on humans to be studied

GUILDFORD, England, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- British scientists say they are beginning research into whether birdsong can have a positive effect on human well-being and behavior.

"A great deal of anecdotal evidence suggests that we respond positively to birdsong," researcher Eleanor Ratcliffe of the University of Surrey said. "However, currently there is a lack of scientific research on the psychological effects of listening to birds."

Researchers will examine the psychological impact of being exposed to the sound of birdsong, including its impact on mood, attention and creativity, she said.

"What we're looking at is the restorative effect of natural sounds like birdsongs on people's moods," Ratcliffe told The Daily Telegraph. "It's building on existing literature that shows that spending time in nature can be beneficial to people in terms of how they feel and how they act."

Researchers will look at whether there is a difference between listening to recorded birdsong and hearing birds in their natural environment, and whether there is any difference in the effect of the birdsong of different bird species.

"There is so much knowledge already on visual natural environments can be beneficial but really very little on auditory natural environments and how they can be beneficial," Ratcliffe said.