Did you know that urban noise can force nightingales to sing so loudly that they already break the sound pollution regulations? Usually a male nightingale sings to attract a mate and establish their territory, they sing competitively in May after having just completed their migration from Africa to Europe.
These birds can up to 14 decibels louder than a noise cause of traffic. The loudest recorded was 95 decibels and its equivalent to a chainsaw one meter away, or a large truck. In Europe a law forbids exposing workers to more than 87 decibels without any ear protection. Prolonged exposure to 80 decibels for two hours can cause lasting damage to the ear. Nightingales normally sing well below their maximum, but they have the ability to increase the volume in order to drown out a rival male.
