Song-type matching between neighbouring song sparrows
Article Abstract:
It is possible that song sparrows use their selection of song types during territorial interactions as a graded signal. Research in this area focused on six pairs of neighbouring males on an undeveloped park bording Puget Sound in Seattle, WA. It was found that birds generally type-match early in the breeding season and repertoire-match late in the season. This could be because neighbour song is more threatening early in the season as a result of the relative instability of territory boundaries between new neighbours. It is also possible that type matching may reflect uncertainty as to the identity of the singer.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2000
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Territory tenure in song sparrows is related to song sharing with neighbours, but not to repertoire size
Article Abstract:
It appears that sharing of song types with a number of neighbours, rather than the number of types per se, is the target of selection in the song sparrow. A longitudinal study of 45 song sparrows indicates that the number of songs a bird shares with his neighbourhood group is a more reliable predictor of lifetime territory tenure than is repertoire size. However, it is uncertain how well song sharing predicts reproductive success in other songbirds. Song sharing among neighbours seems to be minimal in some species and even in some populations of song sparrows.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2000
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Social influences during song development in the song sparrow: a laboratory experiment simulating field conditions
Article Abstract:
A new laboratory study investigates the song selection process in nine hand-reared male song sparrows to discover the social variables that influence song development.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2000
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