The effects of microwave radiation on avian dominance behavior.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1984 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 5933

Irradiated birds generally maintained their positions within the flock hierarchy (with one exception). Some irradiated birds appeared to have a change in their level of aggression after exposure.

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1984

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Seventeen birds from 12 flocks were exposed to microwave radiation under various combinations of power density and duration; three birds from two additional flocks served as sham-exposed controls. Experiments were conducted outdoors at Manomet, Massachusetts (41 degrees 56'N, 70 degrees 35'W) under normal winter ambient temperatures. Although irradiated birds maintained their positions within a flock hierarchy with one exception, some appeared to have a change in their level of aggression after exposure.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionmixed

Populationbirds from flocks

Sample size20

Exposuremicrowave · various combinations of power density and duration

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Irradiated birds generally maintained their positions within the flock hierarchy (with one exception). Some irradiated birds appeared to have a change in their level of aggression after exposure.

Outcomes measured

dominance behavior
flock hierarchy position
aggression level

Limitations

Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, specific power densities, and durations) not reported in the abstract
Small sham-exposed control group (3 birds)
Outcome changes described as "appeared" (suggesting subjective/uncertain assessment)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "various combinations of power density and duration"
  },
  "population": "birds from flocks",
  "sample_size": 20,
  "outcomes": [
    "dominance behavior",
    "flock hierarchy position",
    "aggression level"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Irradiated birds generally maintained their positions within the flock hierarchy (with one exception). Some irradiated birds appeared to have a change in their level of aggression after exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, specific power densities, and durations) not reported in the abstract",
    "Small sham-exposed control group (3 birds)",
    "Outcome changes described as \"appeared\" (suggesting subjective/uncertain assessment)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "avian",
    "dominance behavior",
    "aggression",
    "flock hierarchy",
    "outdoor exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.2250050306
PubMed: 6487384

Read the original paper →

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