Washington, July 24 - A new study has come up with the strongest evidence yet that noise pollution negatively influences the nesting habits of birds.

The study also indicates that at least a few species opt for noisy areas over quiet ones, perhaps because of their vocalisation pitches, a reduction in nest predators and less competition from other song birds that prefer quiet environments.

The researchers found that 32 bird species nested in quiet areas undisturbed by noise pollution, while 21 species were nesting in noisy areas.

The team also found only three bird species nested exclusively at the noisy sites, while 14 species nested only in the quiet sites.

The three-year study compared nesting birds inhabiting pinyon-juniper woodland sites

surrounding natural gas extraction sites and their noise-producing compressors with birds nesting in adjacent, quieter woodland sites.