Light pollution causes urban birds to stay awake longer each day, study finds

Researchers shocked' to discover some species settling down for sleep 50 minutes later than rural counterparts

Urban birds stay up significantly later than their rural counterparts, according to research that highlights the impact of light pollution on wildlife.

The study, based on recordings submitted by bird enthusiasts to a popular species identification and mapping website, showed that light pollution caused birds to sing for an average of 50 minutes longer each day, with some species waking up an hour earlier and settling down for the evening an hour later.