scholarly journals Dawn singing behavior of a tropical bird species, the Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinaya Kumar Sethi ◽  
Dinesh Bhatt ◽  
Amit Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Sequential Pattern ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Singing Behavior ◽  
Dawn Song ◽  
Song Types

This paper aims to study the structure and pattern of dawn song in a tropical avian species, the Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata) in Haridwar (290 55’ N, 780 08’ E; Uttarakhand, India) in 2009. Males delivered complex dawn chorus on daily basis during only breeding season (February to July). The dawn song bout was made up of a number of distinct sections called song types. Each song type consisted of a series of similar or dissimilar units referred to as elements. Song type length averaged 1.43±0.23 sec and did not differ significantly among males. Theaverage number and types of elements in a song type were observed 8.15±1.64 and 8.01±1.56, respectively.In more than 80% of observations, song types were delivered with immediate variety and males did not follow any definite sequential pattern of song delivery. Males sang continuously for about 30 min at high rates during dawn. Males performed continuous dawn singing throughout the breeding season and seemed to interact vocally through counter-singing for extended period. Observations suggest that dawn song delivery in Pied Bush Chat plays an important role in maintenance and adjustment of social relationship among neighbouring males.

Yearly and Situational Changes in the Estimate of Repertoire Size in Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos)

The Auk ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim C. Derrickson
Keyword(s):  
Social Situation ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Mimus Polyglottos ◽  
Singing Behavior ◽  
The Social ◽  
The One ◽  
Song Types ◽  
Northern Mockingbirds ◽  
Size Estimates

Abstract The singing behavior of 4 male Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) was studied during 1980 and 1981. Over 10,000 song bouts (repetition of a particular song type) were analyzed spectrographically. Between 102 and 412 distinct song types were identified for each male in a given year. Many of these song types (25.8-57.4%) occurred only once in this sample of singing behavior. Repertoire size was estimated by fitting an exponential curve to a cumulative plot of distinct song types as a function of consecutive bouts sampled. The resulting asymptote was the estimate of repertoire size. Sequences of at least 50 consecutive bouts were used in estimating repertoire size. The technique of using consecutive bouts was required because of the high proportion of rare song types. Several estimates were made for each male and resulted in mean repertoire size estimates of 100-200 song types for the four males. Long sequences (125-150 bouts) of consecutive bouts are preferred to estimate repertoire size accurately. In addition, the social situation in which the singing behavior occurred can alter significantly the estimate of repertoire size. For example, estimates produced from singing during patrolling or countersinging were smaller than estimates generated from singing while associating with a female. The repertoire size estimate increased between 1980 and 1981 for 3 of 4 males. The one male not showing an increase spent much time patrolling and interacting with neighboring males before dying early in 1981. These results are consistent with the impression that repertoire size increases with age.

Variation of repertoire use in the eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1086-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine G. d'Agincourt ◽  
J. Bruce Falls
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Seasonal Trend ◽  
Territorial Defense ◽  
Mate Attraction ◽  
Singing Behavior ◽  
Sturnella Magna ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Song Types

The singing behavior of nine eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) males was examined over the 1980 breeding season for changes in versatility (use of different song types and switching between song types). The greatest degree of versatility occurred during territorial defense; the use of one-song bouts rose from 33.1% during nonchase periods to 64.9% during intraspecific encounters. Versatility also showed a seasonal trend, peaking during courtship and decreasing through the incubation, nestling, and fledgling stages. No relationship was evident between versatility characteristic of a male and the number of females obtained. Thus, while versatility may have increased during encounters with both sexes, it apparently did not influence mate attraction. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that repertoires reduce habituation in listeners. The data also support a derivative explanation that song variety serves as a graded signal indicating the tendency of a singer to interact with other males and females.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Singing and Duetting Behavior of Neotropical Rufous-and-White Wrens (Thryothorus Rufalbus)

The Auk ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Mennill ◽  
Sandra L. Vehrencamp
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Conflict And Cooperation ◽  
Singing Behavior ◽  
Singing Activity ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Thryothorus Rufalbus ◽  
Song Types

AbstractIn many tropical bird species, males and females sing together in coordinated vocal duets. Although studies of duetting present unique opportunities for understanding conflict and cooperation between the sexes, very few investigations describe the similarities and differences between male and female singing behaviors. Here, we present the first detailed account of the singing behavior of Rufous-and-white Wrens (Thryothorus rufalbus), a resident tropical duetting songbird. Male and female songs share a similar structure, yet show pronounced sex differences. Male songs have lower frequency characteristics and more repeated trill syllables, and often sound louder than female songs. Males sing more than females, and only males show elevated song output at dawn. Both males and females have song repertoires. Males have an average repertoire size of 10.8 song types, whereas females have a significantly smaller average repertoire size of 8.5 song types. Although males share proportionately more of their song types with neighbors than females do, both sexes share more song types with nearby individuals than with distant individuals. Breeding partners combine their solo songs to create duets. Duets assume a variety of different forms, ranging from simple, overlapping male and female songs to complex combinations of multiple male and female songs. Most duets (73%) are created by females responding to male song. Males respond to female-initiated duets with shorter latencies than when females respond to male-initiated duets. Each pair sings certain combinations of song types in duets more often than can be explained by random association, which demonstrates that Rufous-and-white Wrens have duet types. The most common duet type was different for each pair. Our results show that Rufous-and-white Wrens have pronounced sex differences in song structure, singing activity, repertoire size, repertoire sharing, and duetting behavior.Diferencias entre Sexos en el Canto y Comportamiento de Dueto en Thryothorus rufalbus

Song repertoires of Harris' sparrows (Zonotrichia querula)

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1867-1874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Shackleton ◽  
Laurene Ratcliffe ◽  
Andrew G. Horn ◽  
Christopher T. Naugler
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Ratio ◽  
Individual Recognition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Absolute Frequency ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Song Types ◽  
Song Repertoires

The songs of 34 male Harris' sparrows were recorded at Churchill, Manitoba. The songs are composed of one to three whistled notes, all at the same frequency. Individuals sing from one to three song types, each at a discrete frequency. Males are very accurate at returning to the same frequency, both within a bout and between days. Individuals seem to structure their repertoire on the basis of the frequency ratio between types, rather than on the absolute frequency of each type. Males responded to playback of a 3-kHz song with the song in their repertoire that was closest to it in frequency. We suggest that the frequency ratio between song types may be species specific, whereas the absolute frequency of song types may facilitate individual recognition. This species has been previously described as having only a single song type. Our study and other recent work suggest that there is no sharp distinction in the wild between bird species with single and multisong repertoires.

Use of song types by the Chestnut-sided Warbler: evidence for both intra- and inter-sexual functions

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald E. Kroodsma ◽  
Rachel C. Bereson ◽  
Bruce E. Byers ◽  
Edith Minear
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Control Male ◽  
Wood Warbler ◽  
Dendroica Pensylvanica ◽  
Sexual Messages ◽  
Song Types ◽  
And Control

Males of many wood warbler (Parulinae) species use different song types in different contexts, yet the exact functions of the two main song type categories remain unclear. We studied the use of songs by both experimental (males whose mate had been removed from the territory) and control male Chestnut-sided Warblers (Dendroica pensylvanica) during the dawn hour and midmorning throughout the breeding season. Unpaired males sang more accented-ending songs and fewer unaccented-ending songs than paired males during all observation periods. Accented-ending songs appeared to be used primarily in the absence of intrasexual stimuli, and the percentage of unaccented-ending songs that was used during the nesting cycle appeared to fluctuate directly with the intensity of defense by the male of both his female and his territory. During courtship the male sang accented-ending songs on those infrequent occasions when he did sing in the immediate presence of his female, regardless of her location and the presence or absence of other males. These critical observations seem most consistent with the conclusion that the accented-ending songs are primarily intersexual. The unaccented- and accented-ending categories of song types appear to be used mainly as intra- and inter-sexual messages, respectively.

scholarly journals Identification of care tasks for the use of wearable transfer support robots – an observational study at nursing facilities using robots on a daily basis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Kato ◽  
Tatsuya Yoshimi ◽  
Shohei Tsuchimoto ◽  
Nobuaki Mizuguchi ◽  
Keita Aimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extended Period ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Nursing Facilities ◽  
Time Motion ◽  
Physical Burden ◽  
Routine Work ◽  
Effective Performance ◽  
Sustained Operation

Abstract Background To reduce the physical burden of caregivers, wearable transfer support robots are highly desirable. Although these robots are reportedly effective for specific tasks in experimental environments, there is little information about their effectiveness at nursing care facilities. The aim of this study was to identify care tasks and operations suitable for the use of these robots among caregivers in nursing facilities where these robots have been in use on a daily basis. Methods A 1-min observational time-motion analysis was conducted to examine care tasks and operations in two nursing facilities where wearable transfer support robots, namely Muscle Suit or HAL® Lumbar Type for Care Support, have been used routinely on a daily basis for more than 24 months. Results Analysis of the care tasks and their time ratio while wearing the equipment revealed that both robots were used conspicuously for direct care in over 70% of transits, especially during transfer assistance and toileting care. Furthermore, these robots were used intensively in the morning along with wake-up calls to care recipients, where pre-assigned wearers used them as part of their “routine work.” Conclusions We found that these wearable transfer support robots enabled effective performance of care tasks and operations in nursing facilities where these robots have been used on a daily basis for an extended period of time. These results may lead to the effective implementation and sustained operation of other types of care robots in the future. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry no. UMIN000039204. Trial registration date: January 21, 2020. Interventional study. Parallel, non-randomized, single blinded.

scholarly journals Female song in the Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Patchett ◽  
Alexander N. G. Kirschel ◽  
Joanna Robins King ◽  
Patrick Styles ◽  
Will Cresswell
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Territorial Defence ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Male Song ◽  
Female Song ◽  
Mate Acquisition

AbstractFemale song is widespread across bird species yet rarely reported. Here, we report the first observations and description of female song in the Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca and compare it to male song through the breeding season. Twenty-five percent of colour-ringed females were observed singing at least once, predominantly in April, compared to 71% of males that continued singing through the breeding period. We suggest that female song may have multiple functions in this species, but it may be especially important in territorial defence and mate acquisition.

scholarly journals The Duet Code of the Female Black-Bellied Wren

The Condor ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Logue
Keyword(s):  
Animal Communication ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Female Response ◽  
Male Song ◽  
Vocal Responses ◽  
Vocal Signals ◽  
Behavioral Mechanisms ◽  
Song Types

Abstract In many duet-singing songbirds, paired birds combine their song types nonrandomly to form duet songs. Several different behavioral mechanisms could generate nonrandom song type associations in duets. I tested female Black-bellied Wrens (Thryothorus fasciatoventris) for one such mechanism: adherence to a set of rules linking female response songs to male stimulus songs. I call this set of rules a “duet code.” Duets of free-living Black-bellied Wrens were recorded in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 I returned to the same territories and played the male song types from the recorded duets. Females answered male song stimuli as if duetting with the playback speaker. Although the known repertoires of females averaged 8.4 song types, each female sang only a single song type in response to each male song type. Random answering could not account for this pattern, supporting the hypothesis that females abide by duet codes. Females that were still paired with their mates from 2001–2002 answered 100% of their mate's songs with the same song types they had used previously, demonstrating that codes are stable over time. In contrast, females that were new to a territory answered an average of only 18% of their mate's song types with the same song type as the previous female, indicating that duet codes are individually distinctive. Duet participation by female Black-bellied Wrens represents a special kind of animal communication, in which discrete vocal signals consistently elicit discrete vocal responses according to an individually distinctive set of rules.

scholarly journals Deceptive vocal duets and multimodal display in a songbird

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1864) ◽  
pp. 20171774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Ręk ◽  
Robert D. Magrath
Keyword(s):  
Group Living ◽  
Visual Display ◽  
Reliable Information ◽  
Song Type ◽  
Visual Displays ◽  
Visual Component ◽  
Song Types ◽  
Multimodal Signalling ◽  
Australian Magpie ◽  
Vocal Duets

Many group-living animals cooperatively signal to defend resources, but what stops deceptive signalling to competitors about coalition strength? Cooperative-signalling species include mated pairs of birds that sing duets to defend their territory. Individuals of these species sometimes sing ‘pseudo-duets’ by mimicking their partner's contribution, but it is unknown if these songs are deceptive, or why duets are normally reliable. We studied pseudo-duets in Australian magpie-larks, Grallina cyanoleuca , and tested whether multimodal signalling constrains deception. Magpie-larks give antiphonal duets coordinated with a visual display, with each sex typically choosing a different song type within the duet. Individuals produced pseudo-duets almost exclusively during nesting when partners were apart, but the two song types were used in sequence rather than antiphonally. Strikingly, birds hid and gave no visual displays, implying deceptive suppression of information. Acoustic playbacks showed that pseudo-duets provoked the same response from residents as true duets, regardless of whether they were sequential or antiphonal, and stronger response than that to true duets consisting of a single song type. By contrast, experiments with robot models showed that songs accompanied by movements of two birds prompted stronger responses than songs accompanied by movements of one bird, irrespective of the number of song types or singers. We conclude that magpie-larks used deceptive pseudo-duets when partners were apart, and suppressed the visual display to maintain the subterfuge. We suggest that the visual component of many species' duets provides the most reliable information about the number of signallers and may have evolved to maintain honesty in duet communication.

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