In a field study, we show that young song sparrow (i) selects his songs from three or four older birds who have neighboring territories, (ii) preferentially learns types these tutor neighbors share, and (iii) ultimately sets up territory next to, replaces, one of neighbors. The consequence this learning strategy is the bird's repertoire represents "logical intersection" repertoires We argue optimally designed for mimicry (sounding like your neighbors) communication between (song sparrows...

We report on the occurrence and context of female song in color-marked Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) population resident Mandarte Island, British Columbia. Sonograms three females showed that structure varied, but was usually less complex than males. At least one female's within male range complexity could have been mistaken for a had sex bird unknown. Another sang at two distinct types. Further, songs recorded were similar to those elsewhere from wild captive implanted with testosterone....

Song playback to song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) in a resident population Washington state showed that the tendency of birds respond with same type (match) depended on identity singer. Matching rates were high 'self (60%) and 'stranger' (50%) low 'neighbor' (20%, not significantly above chance level). The higher matching rate stranger was particularly interesting, since neighbor test songs generally more similar subjects' than (the self songs, course, most similar). importance...

Journal Article Strong Neighbor-Stranger Discrimination in Song Sparrows Get access Philip K. Stoddard, Stoddard Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, S. G. Mudd Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2702 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Michael D. Beecher, Beecher Animal Behavior Program, Guthrie University Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 Cynthia L. Horning, Horning Mary Willis The Condor, Volume 92, Issue 4, 1 November 1990, Pages 1051–1056,...

Abstract We examined variation in the calls and facial patterns of Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota) chicks to test prediction that, species which dependent young intermingle, coloniality necessitates parent-offspring recognition thus favors evolution highly variable "signature" traits. The were found be distinctive: interindividual was significantly greater than intraindividual for five measured parameters. Playback experiments indicated that parents could locate their by these signature...

SUMMARY To understand the evolution of sexually dimorphic communication signals, we must quantify their costs, including energetic regulation these and difference between costs for sexes. Here, provide first direct measurements relative energy expended on electric signals show focal species Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus that males spend a significantly greater proportion total budget signal generation (11–22%) compared with females (3%). Both sexes reduce spent during daylight hours through...

Agonistic behavior has shaped sociality across evolution. Though extremely diverse in types of displays and timing, agonistic encounters always follow the same conserved phases (evaluation, contest post-resolution) depend on homologous neural circuits modulated by neuroendocrine mediators vertebrates. Among neuromodulators, serotonin (5-HT) is main inhibitor aggression, arginine vasotocin (AVT) underlies sexual, individual social context differences vertebrate taxa. We aim to demonstrate...

Communication signals may be energetically expensive or inexpensive to produce, depending on the function of signal and competitive nature communication system. Males sexually selected species produce high-energy advertisement signals, both enhance detectability their size body condition. Accordingly, proportion energy budget allocated production ranges from almost nothing for many somewhere in excess 50% acoustic short-lived species. Recent data gymnotiform electric fish reveal mechanisms...

Songbird species differ in how their songs vary geographically, and the vocal behavior of Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) exhibits an especially intriguing pattern variation. Throughout most range (i.e. from Nova Scotia to British Columbia), males sing a simple two-tone "fee-bee-ee" (with "fee" slightly higher frequency than "bee-ee" amplitude break between "bee" "ee"), each male shifts pitch his single song type over about 800 Hz. Birds differently, however, on islands...

Models of sexual selection propose that exaggerated secondary ornaments indicate a male's own fitness and the his offspring. These hypotheses have rarely been thoroughly tested in free‐living individuals because overall fitness, as opposed to components, is difficult measure. We used 20 years data from song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) inhabiting Mandarte Island, British Columbia, Canada, test whether repertoire size, trait, predicted measures male or offspring fitness. Males with larger...

Summary We tested the hypothesis that memory or perceptual limitations imposed by song repertoires contrain ability of birds to recognize their neighbours song. Using operant conditioning procedures, we trained male sparrows (Melospiza melodia) (median repertoire size = 8) discriminate between two artificial sparrow 32 songs each (64 total). Both learned concurrently all pairs. The later as quickly they earlier songs. These results suggest are capable memorizing full under natural...