Birds attracted to wealthy Brits: Study

London, Feb 11 : A study by researchers from Sheffield University has found that the number of birds in British urban areas is directly proportional to the wealth of the residents of those areas.

The scientists found that bird population was higher in affluent urban areas as compared to poorer ones because wealthier people are more inclined to feeding birds.

The researchers said that they found a higher density of bird feeders and the bird tables has risen above the overall numbers of birds in urban areas, irrespective of factors like the presence of parks and large gardens.

Still the "bird feeder effect" was found to vary dramatically depending on the social and economic status of the households in the area, the scientists said.

It was stated in the study that the bird population was higher in both affluent suburbs within the Sheffield city boundary and sought-after areas near the city centre than deprived wards, where bird feeding was not very common, perhaps because it would dent family incomes.

The study included some of the richest and the poorest wards in Britain and it cited that bird feeding had no effect on the range of birds, only on the populations of species, such as blue tits, great tits and coal tits, commonly attracted to bird feeders.

According to estimates 60,000 tons of food a year are left out for birds in Britain. The study was published in the journal Diversity and Distributions.

ANI