In June 2023, over 100 wildfires in Canada caused a thick haze of smoke to spread across New York State, severely impacting air quality. A study by Cornell University researchers revealed an unexpected consequence: the smoke altered the songs of birds in New York. Birds sang at lower frequencies and with less complexity during the period of heavy smoke, possibly due to reduced visibility or stress from poor air quality. These changes could affect their ability to attract mates or defend territory, potentially impacting reproductive success.