scholarly journals Song Variation Among CISTOTHORUS Wrens, With a Focus on the MÉrida Wren

The Condor ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 855-861
Author(s):  
Donald E. Kroodsma ◽  
Krista Wilda ◽  
Viviana Salas ◽  
Roldan Muradian
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Song Variation ◽  
New Type ◽  
Song Types ◽  
Site Faithfulness

Abstract Evidence from two Cistothorus wrens (C. palustris, C. platensis) has suggested that repertoire size increases with population density and that song imitators are more likely to be site faithful than are song improvisers. We tested these two ideas on a third species, C. meridae, an endemic to the Venezuelan Andes. Of the three Cistothorus wrens, song repertoire sizes of male Mérida Wrens are the smallest, ranging from 18 to 27 song types per male; Mérida Wrens are also most likely to repeat each type several times before switching to a new type. Density of Mérida Wrens was also lowest, from 0.4 to 2.0 territories per 10 ha. These wrens are highly site faithful, with marked microgeographic song variation. Female Mérida Wrens also sing. Overall, data from the Mérida Wren support the ideas that, among Cistothorus wrens, song repertoire sizes increase with population density and site faithfulness promotes song imitation. Variación en el Canto en Cistothorus, con Énfasis en C. meridae Resumen. La evidencia proveniente de dos especies del género Cistothorus (C. palustris, C. platensis) sugiere que el tamaño del repertorio aumenta con la densidad poblacional y que los imitadores de cantos tienen una mayor probabilidad de ser territoriales que los que improvisan. Estas dos ideas fueron probadas en una tercera especie endémica de los Andes venezolanos, C. meridae. El tamaño del repertorio del canto de esta especie, con 18 a 27 tipos de canto por macho, es el más pequeño de estas tres especies. C. meridae también tiene una mayor probabilidad de repetir cada tipo de canto varias veces antes de cambiar a un tipo nuevo. La densidad de C. meridae también fue la menor, con 0.4 a 2.0 territorios por cada 10 hectáreas. C. meridae es muy territorial, con una marcada variación microgeográfica en las cantos. Las hembras de esta especie también cantan. En resumen, estos datos apoyan las ideas de que en el género Cistothorus, el tamaño del repertorio del canto aumenta con la densidad poblacional y que la territorialidad promueve la imitación de cantos.

Male Song as a Cue for Mate Choice in the European Starling

Behaviour ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 210-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudolf Frans Verheyen ◽  
Marcel Eens ◽  
Rianne Pinxten
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
European Starling ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Bout Length ◽  
Complex Song ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Song Types ◽  
Older Males

AbstractThis study had two aims. First, we looked at individual differences in song characteristics between males of the European starling, and we related song behaviour to factors such as male age, pairing date, polygyny and male breeding success. Second, we experimentally tested whether song has an effect on female mating decisions. 1. During the breeding season, male starlings sing a very long and complex song consisting of a rapid succession of large number of different song types. We observed marked differences between males in average song bout length (a song bout was defined as a period of at least five seconds of song containing no pauses larger than 1.5 seconds) and in song repertoire size. Average song bout lengths ranged from 16 to 35 seconds. The individual repertoire size ranged from 23 to 67 song types. Repertoire size and average song bout length were positively correlated. 2. Both in the field and in captivity, yearling males sang shorter average song bout lengths and had smaller repertoire sizes than older males. 3. Males singing longer average song bouts and having larger repertoire sizes attracted females for pairing before their rivals with shorter average song bouts and smaller repertoire sizes.

Song Types and Variation in Insular Populations of Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza Lincolnii), and Comparisons With Other Melospiza

The Auk ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Cicero ◽  
Morgan Benowitz-Fredericks
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
San Bernardino Mountains ◽  
Song Variation ◽  
Tree Patterns ◽  
Song Production ◽  
Melospiza Lincolnii ◽  
Song Types

Abstract In contrast to the Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) and Song Sparrow (M. melodia), vocal studies of the congeneric Lincoln's Sparrow (M. lincolnii) are essentially lacking. To provide comparative data on song variation in this species, we obtained and analyzed recordings from 58 males (4,537 songs) breeding in montane meadows of the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains, California. Males sang from one to six song types, and repertoire size averaged 3.7 types. No two males shared an identical song type. Males varied their types by changing the number of repetitions of a syllable or by adding, deleting, or substituting one or more syllables (i.e. by changing syllable composition). The number of variants, identified on the basis of differences in syllable composition, averaged 2.6 per song type (range 1 to 12). Individual variability was highest in the terminal elements of the song. Production of variants appears to be a process of “open-ended improvisation” of song types. Similarity of songs on the basis of shared syllables, as calculated by simple matching coefficients, showed a strong pattern of concordance with geography. Pairwise similarity declined with increasing distance between meadows, and meadows from different geographic regions clustered separately in a UPGMA tree. Patterns of geographic variation in song of Lincoln's Sparrows are similar to those observed in Song Sparrows and Swamp Sparrows. Song complexity and repertoire size show different evolutionary trends within Melospiza.

scholarly journals Can rarefaction be used to estimate song repertoire size in birds?

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen R. Peshek ◽  
Daniel T. Blumstein
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Rarefaction Analysis ◽  
Complex Species ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Ideal System ◽  
American Robins ◽  
Song Types

Abstract Song repertoire size is the number of distinct syllables, phrases, or song types produced by an individual or population. Repertoire size estimation is particularly difficult for species that produce highly variable songs and those that produce many song types. Estimating repertoire size is important for ecological and evolutionary studies of speciation, studies of sexual selection, as well as studies of how species may adapt their songs to various acoustic environments. There are several methods to estimate repertoire size, however prior studies discovered that all but a full numerical count of song types might have substantial inaccuracies associated with them. We evaluated a somewhat novel approach to estimate repertoire size—rarefaction; a technique ecologists use to measure species diversity on individual and population levels. Using the syllables within American robins’ Turdus migratorius repertoire, we compared the most commonly used techniques of estimating repertoires to the results of a rarefaction analysis. American robins have elaborate and unique songs with few syllables shared between individuals, and there is no evidence that robins mimic their neighbors. Thus, they are an ideal system in which to compare techniques. We found that the rarefaction technique results resembled that of the numerical count, and were better than two alternative methods (behavioral accumulation curves, and capture-recapture) to estimate syllable repertoire size. Future estimates of repertoire size, particularly in vocally complex species, may benefit from using rarefaction techniques when numerical counts are unable to be performed.

scholarly journals Fitness Correlates of Song Repertoire Size in Free‐Living Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia)

2005 ◽  
Vol 165 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane M. Reid ◽  
Peter Arcese ◽  
Alice L. E. V. Cassidy ◽  
Sara M. Hiebert ◽  
James N. M. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Melospiza Melodia ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Song Sparrows

Age-related variation in song repertoire size and repertoire sharing of yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia)

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (9) ◽  
pp. 1926-1929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Cosens ◽  
Spencer G. Sealy
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Dendroica Petechia ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Fledging Success ◽  
Related Variation ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Yellow Warblers ◽  
Clutch Initiation

Songs of male yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia), ranging from 1 to 6 years of age, were recorded in the spring and summer of 1984. Recorded repertoire size and number of songs shared with neighbours varied positively with age in the spring but not in summer. Neither clutch initiation date nor fledging success varied with age or number of songs shared but both measures of reproductive success varied with size of recorded song repertoire.

Geographic Variation in Song of Gambel's White-Crowned Sparrow

Behaviour ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Species Recognition ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Acoustic Features ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Zonotrichia Leucophrys ◽  
Song Recognition ◽  
Song Variation ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Dialect Recognition ◽  
Song Types

AbstractWhite-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) song varies geographically, often forming local 'dialects' in sedentary and short-distance migratory subspecies. In playback experiments males and females can distinguish this variation. Gambel's white-crowned sparrow (Z. L. gambelii) is a long-distance migrant that breeds across subarctic Canada and Alaska. Previous studies identified a wide degree of song variation within local populations of this subspecies. I compared songs recorded in Alaska and Churchill, Manitoba, and found significant differences in acoustic structure. As in other subspecies, the most prominent differences occurred in the terminal trill portion of the song. In a playback experiment to territorial males at Churchill, males gave equivalent strong responses to both Alaska and local gambelii song, significantly weaker responses to mountain white-crowned sparrow (Z. L. oriantha) song, and the weakest responses to heterospecific song. I describe a model of song recognition in which 'dialect recognition' is a component of species recognition. I conclude that as a consequence of differences in the timing of song learning, the subspecies of white-crowned sparrow may differ in the acoustic features that they attend to in song recognition. The diversity of song types at a local level within gambelii populations may interfere with recognizing song differences between populations.

SONG CLUSTERING BY MEADOWLARKS: IS IT RELATED TO REPERTOIRE SIZE?

Behaviour ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 137 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pca Analysis ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Similar Correlation ◽  
Sturnella Magna ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Song Types ◽  
Song Repertoires

AbstractSome birds with song repertoires sequentially associate (or cluster) songs of different types. That is, certain song types may occur together repeatedly, even on different days. We determined whether clustering of meadowlark songs correlated with repertoire size. We also tested whether clustered songs reflect either their structural similarities, or dissimilarities. Our data were obtained from recordings of free-living individuals of two meadowlark species, eastern, Sturnella magna , and western, S. neglecta . Eastern meadowlarks have approximately 10 times more song types per bird than do westerns. Therefore, if clustering is related to repertoire size, we predicted that there should be (1) proportionately more song clusters in eastern meadowlarks than in westerns, and (2) a similar correlation across individual birds within a species, especially so in easterns, which have a broader range of repertoire sizes. All 14 easterns examined showed clusters whereas only 5 of 11 westerns did so, and the easterns had proportionately more per bird. Many of the same clusters occurred in different recordings of individual easterns. In easterns, the extent of clustering as measured by a PCA analysis correlated strongly with estimated repertoire size. Clustered songs were neither more similar in structure, nor less so, than randomly-paired songs.

scholarly journals Trill consistency is an age-related assessment signal in banded wrens

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1665) ◽  
pp. 2315-2321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selvino R. de Kort ◽  
Erin R.B. Eldermire ◽  
Sandra Valderrama ◽  
Carlos A. Botero ◽  
Sandra L. Vehrencamp
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Phenotypic Trait ◽  
First Year ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Related Trait ◽  
Structural Aspects ◽  
Older Males

Older males tend to have a competitive advantage over younger males in sexual selection. Therefore, it is expected that signals used in sexual selection change with age. Although song repertoire size in songbirds is often mentioned as an age-related trait, many species, including the banded wren ( Thryothorus pleurostictus ), do not increase their repertoires after the first year. Here, we show that banded wrens reproduce the trill notes in their songs with less variability between them (i.e. more consistently) when they grow older. In a playback experiment, we also show that banded wrens discriminate between younger and older birds based on structural aspects of their song. In a second experiment, banded wrens also respond differentially to natural songs versus songs with artificially enhanced consistency. We argue that consistency in trill note reproduction may be achieved through practice. Sexual selection in the form of male–male competition may therefore operate on a phenotypic trait, the expression of which is enhanced by practice.

Male quality and song repertoires in western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta)

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1059-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Horn ◽  
Thomas E. Dickinson ◽  
J. Bruce Falls
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
Territory Size ◽  
Male Quality ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Signalling System ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sturnella Neglecta ◽  
Song Repertoires

The relationship between song repertoire size and measures of male quality and reproductive success was examined in a Manitoba population of western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta). Repertoire size correlated positively with the singer's wing length but not with mass or territory size. Males with larger repertoires tended to pair earlier and males with higher pairing success had larger repertoires. Repertoire size correlated positively with fledging success independently of pairing success. As suggested for other species, repertoire size might serve as a signal to females of male quality. We suggest mechanisms by which this signalling system is maintained.

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