Today's lecture focuses on the impact of urbanization on local wildlife. We'll discuss how cities alter natural habitats, and the surprising ways some species adapt. For instance, a recent study in Melbourne found that certain birds, like the noisy miner, thrive in urban areas because they prefer open spaces with scattered trees, which are common in parks and gardens. However, other species, such as the superb fairy-wren, are declining due to increased predation by domestic cats and a lack of dense undergrowth for nesting. Interestingly, the study noted that urban noise pollution does not significantly affect these birds' communication, as they adjust their calls to higher frequencies. This adaptation, however, may have long-term consequences for their reproductive success.