Responses of wintering corvids to New Year’s Eve fireworks in Berlin

Claudia Wascher , Westley Hennigh-Palermo

Animals around the globe are strongly affected by anthropogenic disturbances, creating concerns for welfare and conservation. Fireworks during New Year’s eve are a major, regularly recurring anthropogenic disturbance, causing light, noise as well as air pollution. In the present study, we investigated behavioural responses of mixed-species flocks of corvids (hooded crows, Corvus cornix, rooks, Corvus frugilegus and jackdaws, Corvus monedula) in Berlin. We observed direct responses of corvids to fireworks already during the day on 31st of December. Behavioural responses included gathering in large numbers in trees early during the day, not using the usual roosting trees, frequent changes in flight direction as direct response to fireworks, and erratic flight patterns during the main fireworks at midnight. Our anecdotal report shows a significant and prolonged behavioural response of corvids to fireworks, likely to be reflective of a major effect on individual welfare. This adds to a growing body of evidence of impacts of fireworks on wild animals.