New research has shown that artificial lighting, including street lights and domestic garden lighting, could be preventing magpies from getting much-needed sleep.
A study by La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne has been the first to measure neurological responses to light pollution for magpies and pigeons.
Artificial light from street lights, porch lights, and decorative lights in trees and on balconies contributes to the birds' sleep deprivation and inhibiting their ability to forage for food, fight off predators, or even find a mate.
"For magpies, when they're foraging, they may be a little less efficient, and may be a little more groggy, and so they potentially may miss a few worms that they would've had if they were more awake," said graduate researcher Farley Connelly.
"It's one of those things — if you're a little tired your response can be just a bit delayed.
"So for magpies, it could be a cat, it could be some kind of hawk flying over. Really anything could potentially attack them."
The study found that magpies require up to ten hours of sleep per night and struggle to recover sleep that has been lost due to artificial light.
The study trialled the effects of both white light and amber light on the species.
"We know sleep is important for animals to not only function, but thrive," said University of Melbourne and La Trobe University researcher Dr Anne Aulsebrook.
"While amber lighting appears to have a less damaging impact than white light on magpies, our findings suggest the relative impacts of light pollution on birds may be species-specific.
"Amber lighting can reduce sleep disruption in some birds, but it is not a solution for all species."
Mr Connelly said that while we need lighting for our own protection and safety, what residents do around their homes could make a difference.
"Switch off that porch light, install sensor lights, remove decorative lights from trees, balconies, and other outdoor settings," Mr Connelly said.
He also urged local councils to consider the effects of light pollution on wildlife when it comes to street and park lighting.
"Instead of having them project everywhere and going up to the sky and the trees, just project them directly downwards to the sidewalk," Mr Connelly said.
"That could potentially do a lot for wildlife."
