How do animals adapt to survive in cities? Brock University researchers are hoping a little birdie will tell them.
A research project led by Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Kiyoko Gotanda and Biological Sciences PhD student Michelle Ross is examining the effects of urbanization on black-capped chickadees to gain broader insight into wildlife in urban environments.
Biological Sciences PhD student Michelle Ross (left) and second-year Biological Sciences student Wylan Clitheroe install nest boxes on Ontario Street in St. Catharines for a Brock University research project.
The team is monitoring the birds by installing Brock-branded nest boxes between 282 and 285 Ontario St. in St. Catharines, a busy stretch of road once home to an automotive manufacturing plant.
"We've chosen the black-capped chickadee because it's abundant in both urban and rural areas, making it an excellent candidate for studying how animals adapt to city life," Gotanda says. "By installing nest boxes and monitoring the birds that use them, we're able to track their reproductive success and observe their behaviours in urban settings, where they face different challenges than their rural counterparts."
Ross says urban birds tend to be bolder, more curious and more stressed than their rural counterparts. The researchers are exploring whether these traits are connected to physiological changes, such as altered hormone levels, and if they are harmful or beneficial in the long run.
"What we're really interested in is how urbanization is influencing these birds over time," she says. "It's not just about seeing if they can survive in cities, it's about understanding how these urban environments are changing them, both physically and behaviourally."
The research is focused on understanding the role of stress hormones such as corticosterone, which can affect behaviours such as aggression and neophobia, the fear of new things. These traits may help birds adapt in the short term but could have serious long-term health consequences.
The team's findings will contribute to a growing body of knowledge in urban ecology. Their goal is to establish a long-term monitoring project, providing critical data on how urbanization affects wildlife.
Fourteen nest boxes built by Brock's Machine Shop have already been installed, with plans to expand their study in the coming months by adding more boxes to the University's research farm on Merrittville Highway once the ground thaws.
"Urban environments are complex, and we don't fully understand how they affect wildlife yet," Gotanda says. "But this project is a step toward filling that gap. By understanding how chickadees are adapting, we can better inform urban planning to make our cities more wildlife-friendly."
As Niagara and St. Catharines become more urbanized, Gotanda and Ross are committed to understanding how these changes impact local wildlife. Their research aims to expand knowledge in urban ecology and guide future conservation efforts that will help make cities more sustainable for both people and animals.
"What we're doing is part of a larger effort to help wildlife thrive in cities," Ross says. "It's not just about creating spaces for birds; it's about creating environments where urban ecosystems can flourish."
The research includes support from the City of St. Catharines, which has granted permission for the installation of the bird boxes on city property. The City is also working closely with local arts collective Willow Arts Community to integrate the boxes into vibrant murals painted along Ontario Street. These murals will emphasize both the research project and the broader conversation about wildlife in urban spaces.
The project is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, which is funded by the Government of Canada, and Brock University.
Residents and visitors can learn more about the project by visiting the Gotanda Lab website.
