Geographic and individual variation in the morphology and sequential organization of the song of the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 702-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lincoln Chew
Keyword(s):  
Regional Variation ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Sequential Organization ◽  
Savannah Sparrow ◽  
Finite State ◽  
Individual Distinctiveness ◽  
Grammar Analysis ◽  
Savannah Sparrows ◽  
State Grammar ◽  
Song Parameter

Advertising songs of male Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), from Ontario and Nova Scotia, were studied for patterns of species, regional, and individual distinctiveness. Using a five-category, alphabetic cataloguing scheme. species-typical patterns of song organization were found in the morphology of introductory (A and B) and trill (D) song sections. Using finite-state grammar analysis, regional variation was found in the sequential organization of song sections; regional differences were also seen in the morphology of trill (D) and terminal (E) song sections. Individual differences were detected in the structure of transition (C) sections between B and D, as well as between successive D sections, with no two C sections being alike. Regional variation was also seen in the morphology of C sections.The potential for C sections to act as individual as well as regional markers, and of trills to have both species and regional characteristics, suggests that a song parameter may be capable of carrying more than one type of identifying information.

Song characters as reliable indicators of male reproductive quality in the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
Ha-Cheol Sung ◽  
Paul Handford
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Territory Size ◽  
Male Mating ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Male Quality ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Song Variation ◽  
Savannah Sparrow ◽  
Savannah Sparrows

Bird song may provide female birds with signals of male quality. To investigate this potential for sexual selection via female choice, we assessed the relationships between male song variation and male mating and reproductive success of the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)) over 3 years (2001–2003) in a population of Savannah Sparrows near London, Ontario, Canada. We measured song rate, as well as temporal and frequency attributes of song structure, as possible predictors of male quality, and then related these measures to attributes of male reproductive performance (mating and breeding success and territory size of males). We found significant correlations between male reproductive performance and several song features, such that the combined effects of two trill sections could potentially play an important role: males possessing such songs arrived and paired earlier and had higher fledging success. The results suggested that the trill segments of the song may signal important aspects of male quality. Possible reasons for significant roles of such songs in open-habitat birds are discussed.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial DNA Variation, Species Limits, and Rapid Evolution of Plumage Coloration and Size in the Savannah Sparrow

The Condor ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Zink ◽  
James D. Rising ◽  
Steve Mockford ◽  
Andrew G. Horn ◽  
Jonathan M. Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
San Diego ◽  
Baja California ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Plumage Coloration ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Savannah Sparrows

Abstract We compared sequences from two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes (ND2, ND3) in Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis; n = 112) sampled from Baja California (five sites), coastal Sonora and the continental range (eight sites). Populations from Baja California, San Diego and Sonora formed a clade within which there was no phylogeographic structure; this clade merits species status (Passerculus rostratus). The other clade, consisting of phenotypically “typical” savannah sparrows, should be classified as P. sandwichensis. Among the typical sparrows, there was no phylogeographic structure, although two major clades were discovered. Representatives of each of the two main clades occurred at most sampling localities, excluding Suisan Bay, California and Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Haplotypes found on Sable Island, representing the “Ipswich Sparrow,” were not distinctive, thereby failing to support species status for this taxon. On Isla San Benito, a single haplotype was found, which also occurred in other Mexican localities. The results for Sable Island and Isla San Benito show that size and plumage coloration can evolve rapidly. Variación en ADN Mitocondrial, Límites entre Especies y Evolución Rápida de la Coloración del Plumaje y el Tamaño en Passerculus sandwichensis Resumen. En este estudio comparamos secuencias de dos genes mitocondriales (ND2 y ND3) entre individuos de la especie Passerculus sandwichensis (n = 112) muestreados en Baja California (5 sitios), la costa de Sonora y el rango de distribución continental (8 sitios). Las poblaciones de Baja California, San Diego y Sonora formaron un clado, al interior del cual no existió estructura filogeográfica; este clado merece estatus de especie (Passerculus rostratus). El otro clado, conformado por individuos fenotípicamente “típicos”, debe clasificarse como P. sandwichensis. Entre los individuos típicos no existió estructura filogeográfica, aunque se descubrieron dos clados principales. Individuos representativos de cada uno de estos dos clados se encontraron en la mayoría de las localidades, excepto Suisan Bay, California y Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Los haplotipos encontrados en Sable Island, correspondientes al “gorrión de Ipswich” no fueron distintivos, lo que no apoya el estatus de especie para este taxón. En Isla San Benito se encontró un solo halpotipo, el cual también se encontraba en otras localidades mexicanas. Los resultados de Sable Island e Isla San Benito muestran que el tamaño y la coloración del plumaje pueden evolucionar rápidamente.

scholarly journals Hierarchical and Linear Sequence Processing: An Electrophysiological Exploration of Two Different Grammar Types

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 1829-1842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Bahlmann ◽  
Thomas C. Gunter ◽  
Angela D. Friederici
Keyword(s):  
Phrase Structure ◽  
Phrase Structure Grammar ◽  
Brain Potentials ◽  
Late Positivity ◽  
Sequence Processing ◽  
Linear Sequence ◽  
Artificial Grammars ◽  
Finite State ◽  
State Grammar ◽  
Finite State Grammar

The present study investigated the processing of two types of artificial grammars by means of event-related brain potentials. Two categories of meaningless CV syllables were applied in each grammar type. The two grammars differed with regard to the type of the underlying rule. The finite-state grammar (FSG) followed the rule (AB)n, thereby generating local transitions between As and Bs (e.g., n = 2, ABAB). The phrase structure grammar (PSG) followed the rule AnBn, thereby generating center-embedded structures in which the first A and the last B embed the middle elements (e.g., n = 2, [A[AB]B]). Two sequence lengths (n = 2, n = 4) were used. Violations of the structures were introduced at different positions of the syllable sequences. Early violations were situated at the beginning of a sequence, and late violations were placed at the end of a sequence. A posteriorly distributed early negativity elicited by violations was present only in FSG. This effect was interpreted as the possible reflection of a violated local expectancy. Moreover, both grammar-type violations elicited a late positivity. This positivity varied as a function of the violation position in PSG, but not in FSG. These findings suggest that the late positivity could reflect difficulty of integration in PSG sequences.

Effects of agriculture upon populations of native passerine birds of an Alberta fescue grassland

1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 697-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Owens ◽  
M. T. Myres
Keyword(s):  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Savannah Sparrow ◽  
Anthus Spragueii ◽  
Agricultural Use ◽  
Horned Lark ◽  
Sprague's Pipit ◽  
Avian Populations

The effects of several forms of agricultural use of native fescue (Festuca scabrella) grasslands upon populations of native passerine birds were studied in the Hand Hills of southern Alberta in 1970.Censuses of avian populations were carried out on twelve 40-acre (16.2 ha) study plots as well as on two 10-mi (16.1 km) long roadside routes. The vegetation on the study plots and along the roadside routes was described.Native fescue grasslands, undisturbed for 3 years, supported a passerine community consisting of Baird's sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii), savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), clay-colored sparrow (Spizella pallida), and western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). Incomplete disturbance of fescue grasslands, by mowing for hay or grazing by cattle, reduced or eliminated Baird's sparrow and Sprague's pipit but permitted the ingress of horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) and chestnut-collared longspur (Calcarius ornatus). Total elimination of the native grassland, by ploughing and cultivation for cereal crops, eliminated all passerine species except the horned lark. Peripheral disturbed areas resulting from cultivation, such as held boundaries and roadside ditches, may have benefited several species that tend to occur in ecotonal habitats: savannah sparrow, clay-colored sparrow, and vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus).

Field Metabolism and Food Consumption of Savannah Sparrows during the Breeding Season

The Auk ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph B. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Relationship Construction ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Savannah Sparrows

Abstract I applied the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique to measure rates of water flux and energy expenditure of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) during two breeding seasons on Kent Island, New Brunswick, Canada. Simultaneous to DLW measurements, I constructed time-activity budgets for territorial males, monitored nest attentiveness for incubating females, and quantified frequency of nest visitation for parents feeding young. To ascertain the relationship between brood size and adult energy expenditure, I measured the energy expenditure of adults feeding 2, 4, and 6 nestlings. There was little difference in field metabolic rates (FMR) between territorial males [161.0\pm 21.7 (SD) ml CO2/h). and males that fed 4 nestlings (157.6 ± 19.7 ml CO2/h). Incubating females expired CO2 at rates lower than males during the same time period (134.4 ± 7.9 vs. $161.0 ± 21.7 ml CO2/h but similar to rates for females feeding 4 young, the normal brood size ($134.4 ± 7.9 ml CO2/h for incubating females vs. $136.5 ± 26.9 ml CO2h for females feeding young). Incubating females expended energy at a lower rate than females making 8 or more trips to the nest per hour, the average feeding rate for females late in the nestling period. For males and females together, water influx and efflux rates averaged 17.1 ± 3.2 and 17.2 ± 3.0 ml H20/day, suggesting that birds balanced water intake against water losses. Mean daily solar radiation (MDSR; W/ m2) also influenced FMR during the nestling period. The equation ml CO2/h=172.6-0.07 (MDSR) described the relationship. When brood sizes were manipulated, parents responded by altering their frequency of nest visitation; as frequency increased, so did the FMR of females but not of males. The equation ml CO2/h =98.4 + 5.3 (mean visits/h) described the relationship. Construction of a food budget indicated that, on average, territorial males consumed 21.1 g fresh arthropods per day, while incubating females ingested 17.5 g/day or 210.0 g during the 12-day incubation period. Through the 8-day nestling period, males augmented their foraging by 75%, females by 87%, to feed a brood of 4.

Nestling foods of the savannah sparrow

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Meunier ◽  
Jean Bédard
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Prey Abundance ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Main Prey ◽  
Savannah Sparrow ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Prey Items

The diet of savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) nestlings was monitored at Îsle Verte, Québec, during the 1980 breeding season. Adults carried exclusively arthropods to the nest. The main prey types found were Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera larvae, larval and adult Diptera and Homoptera. The proportion of different prey types in the diet varied during the season but there was no close relationship between temporal changes in the indices of prey abundance in the habitat and the type of prey chosen by the adult birds. Both the type and size of prey brought to the nest changed with the age and number of nestlings (aged 4–10 days). The proportion of Homoptera in the diet decreased sharply with age while that of Lepidoptera and Diptera increased. Adults feeding broods of four brought a larger proportion of large prey items (Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera larvae) than those feeding broods of a lesser size; to these they brought a larger proportion of smaller items such as Diptera and adult Lepidoptera. Males and females brought the same major prey types to the nest but not in the same proportions.

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