Presentation Details
| Vocal performance and the social function of complex song in the Bachman's sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) Hans Gonzembach, Rindy Anderson. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA |
Abstract
In songbirds, males produce broadcast songs that signal male quality or aggression during territorial interactions. Some species also produce acoustically distinct songs, yet the factors shaping these signals remain poorly understood. We investigated the vocal performance and function of an understudied song category, complex song, in Bachman’s sparrows to test whether it reflects male quality and functions in intraspecific competition. We examined whether complex songs contain physiologically demanding acoustic features and whether they are associated with morphology and ornamentation. We captured males, recorded complex songs, measured morphology, quantified ornamentation, and quantified vocal performance. Males with larger skeletal size but lower body mass and pectoral muscle mass produced higher-performance songs. Males with more pronounced wing epaulet coloration also exhibited higher performance. Using simulated territorial intrusions, males responded more strongly to complex songs, showing higher aggression, closer approach distances, and increased whisper song rates. These findings suggest complex song encodes male quality and functions as an agonistic signal.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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