Do birds worry or get stressed? (1 Viewer)

[Coffeetx]

Hi everyone. I’m new here and to bird watching. I’ve only recently started doing it on my patio while drinking coffee in the morning. I’m not sure why I never really paid that much attention to birds outside before but now that I began to pay attention it’s like a whole universe I was somehow oblivious to. Lately I’ve been reading a lot on things such as bird sounds and how some of them are alarm signals. This got me thinks about a scripture verse I’ve heard a thousand times that says birds don’t worry or stress. They don’t store up food. They just live their life. I’m probably thinking too much on this but I just really want to know. I find it calming to watch birds. And it seems like maybe they don’t worry or stress. But now that I’m learning about bird sounds and what they mean I’m curious if this is accurate. I’m probably just overthinking a metaphor that was used. Either way thanks for Any feedback!

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum! I am sure that you will find lots to interest you here and I hope you enjoy your visits.

Birds do get stressed hence the alarm calls. Also, if there is disturbance near a nest, the parents get stressed and can abandon it. Many birds cache food, too.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Most birds and many other forms of wildlife, live in a constant state of hyper alertness, this must be akin to permanent stress.

 

[kb57]

My home city, Newcastle on Tyne, has a seabird colony of black-legged kittiwakes which nest on ledges of bridges and buildings. I read somewhere that the birds nesting closest to people (e.g. just below the deck of a bridge, where people could look down on them from close range) were more stressed than those in less overlooked / visible locations. I can't recall how this was tested, and can't find the original paper on a Google search, but it might have involved sampling of stress hormones in chicks.
You've also got to remember that the birdsong we all enjoy is trying to warn off rivals as well as attract a mate, so it is both aggressive and boastful - not at all how we perceive it.