Elaheh Jafarzadeh: The air pollution crisis in Tehran has long been recognized as one of the most serious threats to human health; however, the consequences for urban wildlife have received less attention. Birds, as important indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem health, are particularly vulnerable to this crisis. Mohammad Ali Yektanick, an environmental expert and wildlife rehabilitator, spoke with KhabarOnline about the extensive impacts of air pollution on urban bird populations and behaviors, warning that the continuation of this trend could lead to a significant decline in biodiversity in the capital.
He refers to the history of studies on bird migration from ancient times to the present, stating: “For over two thousand years, scholars such as Aristotle and Homer have researched bird migration, yet we still do not precisely understand how these creatures find their paths. Birds typically fly at very high altitudes during migration, where neither north nor south is discernible, nor are there visible land features. Although bird migration occurs at night, some believe these creatures navigate through natural factors such as the light of stars, Earth’s magnetic currents, or a genetic consciousness. However, air pollution disrupts their ability to fly and navigate.”
Yektanick continues, “Birds have more sensitive lungs than humans and are highly susceptible to gases like ozone and nitrogen compounds. This issue reduces the amount of oxygen they receive, ultimately diminishing their respiratory quality and flight capability. Therefore, it can be said that pollution not only impairs birds’ vision but also affects their habitats and food sources—namely insects and plants—by altering precipitation patterns.”
According to this environmental expert, “Air pollution is a complex phenomenon with extensive consequences for wildlife. Studies show that the introduction of toxins from pollution, particularly heavy metals like lead, into birds’ bodies can thin and weaken their egg shells during the breeding season (spring). This shell weakness can lead to cracking and breaking when birds sit on their eggs to warm them, ultimately resulting in reduced reproductive capacity and population decline.”
A noticeable decrease in sparrow populations and an increase in crows is one of the critical points Yektanick emphasizes: “Fortunately, there are still considerable populations of pigeons or domestic doves, but we observe that the number of sparrows in cities has significantly decreased, and there is no longer evidence of group flights or collective foraging on the ground, which we used to see. In contrast, we are witnessing the adaptability of species like the hooded crow, which, as an invasive species, has managed to thrive in degraded urban environments. In nature, we see no sign of hooded crows unless that nature has been destroyed.”
This expert considers the hooded crow a “marker of nature’s destruction” and believes that their widespread presence signifies an environmental crisis, indicating that this species cannot be counted as part of the ecosystem. Meanwhile, doves and sparrows are considered wild species, and their population decline is a serious warning for the health of the urban ecosystem.
Biodiversity; an Indicator of Quality of Life
This environmental expert introduces “biodiversity” as a measure of human quality of life: “When wildlife populations, including various animal species, are present, it indicates that there is water, rivers are flowing, gardens and agricultural lands are nourished, and ultimately, the food that reaches our tables is healthy. In such conditions, even the air we breathe is healthy.” He shares a personal experience regarding the impact of pollution on quality of life: “On severely polluted days in Tehran, I suddenly noticed that I sometimes had difficulty seeing and reading the labels on product packaging. Shortly thereafter, with a relative improvement in air quality, my vision also improved. I happened to read somewhere that air pollution can even have a temporary effect on reducing vision.”
Yektanick believes that such effects can also impact animals, and the decline in bird biodiversity is a sign of a broader crisis in the health of the environment and humans.
Migration in the Shadow of Pollution / Tehran, the Lost Passage of Flights in the Smog
One of Yektanick’s serious warnings pertains to the migratory paths of birds: “Tehran is one of the main corridors for bird migration, but severe pollution has caused many species to no longer pass over Tehran.” He states, “Normally, over two hundred bird species migrate through Tehran, but now many of them have chosen alternative routes. This situation contrasts with cities that have less pollution. There, the main issue is birds colliding with building glass due to nighttime lights.” Yektanick references New York, where, in response to this issue, community groups collect the bodies of birds that have collided with glass and implement strategies such as using frosted glass or special stickers to reduce fatalities.
Urban Management Solutions and the Role of Citizens
In terms of protecting birds and ensuring their survival, Yektanick emphasizes the necessity of maintaining connectivity between urban green spaces: “During migration, birds need to stop at certain points to rest and feed. These points can be parks, lakes, or wetlands.” He refers to these stopover points as “Step stones” or “Stop overs” and believes that without them, bird migration is disrupted.
However, the main solution is to reduce air pollution. Yektanick states, “Using standard fuels and avoiding quasi-gasoline and mazut is key to solving the crisis.” He also highlights the role of citizens and warns that feeding bread to birds is a misguided action: “Bread is not a complete food for birds; it merely fills them up and prevents them from searching for nutritious food, gradually weakening them. Even the components of bread—especially baking soda—can be harmful to them. Some may do this with the intention of helping out of compassion, but it is essential to ensure that such actions do not harm nature and its creatures or the city and its citizens.” He believes that helping birds should only be done in dire conditions, such as drought or severe winters, with quality seeds and in places where there is no risk of predation by cats or other hunters.
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