The common blackbird produces the most pleasant song in the avian world, according to new research that examined what makes birdsong appealing to human listeners.
Scientists at the University of Tübingen conducted a comprehensive study asking participants to rate the pleasantness of 123 different bird songs on a scale from 1 to 5. The common blackbird emerged victorious with an average score of 4.52 out of 5, narrowly edging out the willow warbler at 4.45 and the blackcap at 4.43.
The research team, led by Dr. Nadine Kalb, sought to identify the specific acoustic characteristics that make certain bird calls more enjoyable than others. By analyzing the ratings alongside detailed information about each song's acoustic properties, the scientists uncovered patterns in what humans find pleasing.
"You don't have to be a 'bird person' to find bird sounds beautiful," Dr. Kalb told Good News Network. "Being able to recognize birds by their appearance or song did not affect how people rated calls."
The study revealed that songs with greater variety, higher pitch, and moderate volume levels received the highest pleasantness ratings. Songs featuring a narrower bandwidth—the range of frequencies used—and greater complexity in terms of the number and variety of elements also scored well. The most pleasant songs avoided a specific frequency range where human hearing exhibits heightened sensitivity.
Researchers initially hypothesized that loud sounds, characterized by high amplitude, would receive lower ratings. They also examined whether personal factors such as birding knowledge influenced preferences, asking participants questions to measure their familiarity with birds and their perceptions of avian species.
Senior study author Dr. Christoph Randler explained the broader implications of the research. "I'm very interested in human-bird relationships," he told Good News Network. "Bird sounds are often considered one of the most enjoyable aspects of spending time in nature, and previous research has shown that they can contribute to psychological restoration and well-being. However, not all bird sounds are perceived equally positively."
Indeed, not every species fared well in the rankings. The barn owl finished at the bottom of the pleasantness scale with an average score of just 1.32.
Dr. Kalb offered an evolutionary perspective on the findings. "We might be wired to prefer more variable sounds with moderate amplitudes and frequencies because they signal a safe, healthy, and restorative environment where we can relax," she told Good News Network.
The complete top 20 list includes familiar species such as the common nightingale at number 8 with a score of 4.26, the European goldfinch tied at number 10 with the same score, and the European robin rounding out the top 20 at 4.04. The mistle thrush, garden warbler, and dunnock all scored 4.30 or higher, placing them in the top six.
The research team plans to expand their work with larger, more diverse participant groups including more men, individuals from different cultures, and experienced birdwatchers. Dr. Randler expressed particular interest in real-world applications of the findings.
"I would love to investigate how bird sounds influence people in real-world environments," Dr. Randler told Good News Network. "That would help us better understand the role that healthy ecosystems play in supporting both biodiversity and human well-being."
The study underscores the connection between natural soundscapes and human psychological health, suggesting that the acoustic environment plays a significant role in how people experience and benefit from time spent in nature.