A call to document female bird songs: Applications for diverse fields

Odom, Karan J.; Benedict, Lauryn

doi:10.1642/auk-17-183.1

Cited by 80 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Mate attraction across bird species does not appear to be the primary function of female vocalizations (Dabelsteen et al, 1998;Cain and Langmore, 2016;Krieg and Getty, 2016). Female vocalisations vary in their complexity (Langmore, 1998;Cain and Langmore, 2016) but few studies have examined whether female vocal characteristics vary geographically, particularly for non-Passeriformes (Odom and Benedict, 2018). Given the prevalence of female vocalizations, more research should be conducted to build a comprehensive understanding of the function and evolution of bird vocalizations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Components of variation in female common cuckoo calls

Deng

Lloyd

Xia

et al. 2019

Behavioural Processes

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Investigations on bird vocalizations have largely focused on males. Female vocalizations are widespread in birds but few studies have investigated female vocal characteristics, particularly in non-Passeriformes. In this study, we use new field recordings from China, and calls available from an online sound library to examine temporal patterns, call consistency and geographical variation in vocalizations of female common cuckoos Cuculus canorous. The peak in vocal activity (both male and female) was in the morning, which contrasts to what would be predicted if the sole function of the female call was to distract the attention of hosts after parasitizing a host's nest in the afternoon. Both male and female common cuckoos were more vocally active in sunny weather, than rainy weather. We also found larger intra-individual variation in female rather than in male calls, which may benefit female cuckoos by increasing stimulation to host species. Peak frequency of female calls decreased with increased latitude, while differences in female call features were not associated with geographic distance. In summary, our findings that female calls are used in the morning, rather than at peak egg laying, yet are highly variable and show little geographic patterns suggest that the function of these female calls may be more variable and intricate than previously thought. However, because research on female vocalizations is underrepresented, future studies are still needed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Components of variation in female common cuckoo calls

Deng

Lloyd

Xia

et al. 2019

Behavioural Processes

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“…Individuals that sing at a higher rate, using larger repertoires or with higher levels of complexity, can pair up earlier (Catchpole 1980), attain better quality territories (Buchanan & Catchpole 1997, Manica et al 2014, have longer territory tenure (Hiebert et al1989, Potvin et al 2013 and thus achieve greater reproductive success (McGregor et al 1981, Lambrechts & Dhondt 1986, Potvin et al 2013. The vast majority of research has focused on male song, but in recent years there has been growing interest in the song of female birds (Hall & Langmore 2017, Odom & Benedict 2018. Once thought to be rare, female song is now known to be widespread and evidence suggests that it is ancestral (Odom et al 2014).…”

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confidence: 99%

Song function and territoriality in male and female White-throated Dippers Cinclus cinclus

Magoolagan

Sharp

2018

Bird Study

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Capsule: Male White-throated Dippers Cinclus cinclus are more likely and quicker to respond to the playback of song than females, but both sexes are more likely to respond before the onset of breeding than after. Aims: Territoriality and the function of song in female birds have rarely been studied outside of the tropics or Australasia. We investigated territoriality and song function in males and females of a Northern temperate species, the White-throated Dipper. Methods: We conducted playback trials on established pairs and compared the responses of males and females according to the sex of the simulated intruder and the timing of playback relative to the onset of breeding. A response was classified as movement towards the speaker, singing or both. Results: Males were significantly more likely and quicker to respond to playback than females, but neither sex responded differently to the playback of male and female song. Both sexes were more likely to respond to playback before breeding had begun than after. Conclusions: Our results suggest that both males and females are territorial but that males take the dominant role in defence. Female song appears to elicit a similar response to male song and may play a role in territoriality or mate defence.

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“…Collectively, our results highlight the importance of studying rare behavioral phenomena and, in particular, call for better documentation and targeted research on female song (Odom & Benedict, 2018). We hope that future focused study of female songs will improve our understanding of the proximate causes and ultimate implications of these vocalizations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Analysis of female song provides insight into the evolution of sex differences in a widely studied songbird

Wilkins

Odom

Benedict

et al. 2020

Preprint

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3Understanding the patterns and processes related to sexual dimorphism in diverse animal taxa 1 4 is a foundational research topic in ecology and evolution. Within the realm of animal 1 5 communication, studies have traditionally focused on male signals, assuming that female choice 1 6and male-male competition have promoted dimorphism via elaboration of male traits, but 1 7 selection on females also has the potential to create sex differences. Here, we describe female 1 8 song in barn swallows for the first time, report rates of female song production, and couple song 1 9 data with plumage data to explore the relative degree to which dimorphism in signaling traits is 2 0 consistent with contemporary selection on males versus females. During previous intensive 2 1 study of male song over two years, we recorded songs for 15 females, with matched phenotypic 2 2 and fitness data. We randomly selected 15 samples from our larger male dataset to test 2 3 whether sexual dimorphism in song and plumage is more strongly associated with fledgling 2 4 success for females or genetic paternity for males. Analyses included 35 potential sexual 2 5 signals including 22 song parameters and 13 plumage traits. Outcomes indicate that: female 2 6songs are used in multiple contexts, restricted primarily to the beginning of the breeding season; 2 7 song traits were more dimorphic than visual plumage traits; and trait correlations with 2 8 reproductive success in females, rather than males, predicted sex-based differences in song 2 9 and plumage. These results are consistent with phylogenetic studies showing that sex-based 3 0 phenotypic differences are driven by changes in females, highlighting the potential role 3 1 of female trait evolution in explaining patterns of sexual dimorphism. To achieve a better 3 2

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A call to document female bird songs: Applications for diverse fields

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 80 publications

References 69 publications

Components of variation in female common cuckoo calls

Components of variation in female common cuckoo calls

Song function and territoriality in male and female White-throated Dippers Cinclus cinclus

Analysis of female song provides insight into the evolution of sex differences in a widely studied songbird

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