Black-Capped Chickadee Dawn Chorus and Subsequent Sexual Activity

Effect of habitat quality on communication and signalling in the black-capped chickadee.

“…Very few examples of variation of this signal have been described in this species; in fact, songs are remarkably invariant across most of their range consisting of the northern half of the North American continent from the Atlantic to Pacific coast (Hailman 1989;Kroodsma et al 1995;reviewed in Menniil and Otter 2007). In early breeding season, breeding males sing long bouts of continuous 'fee-bee' songs close to the nest site at dawn (Otter et al 1997;Gammon 2004; Fig 1.2 A). These dawn song bouts often last over 45 min with average singing rates of 12-15 songs per minute, with some males achieving maximum rates of more than 20 songs per minute during the peak of the chorus.…”

“…In early spring, flocking is replaced by territoriality as pairs begin excavating nests (Smith 1991). During this period, breeding males sing long bouts of continuous "fee bee" songs close to the nest site at dawn (Otter et al 1997;Gammon 2004). These dawn song bouts often last over 45 min with average singing rates of 12-15 songs min -1 , with some males achieving maximum rates of more than 20 songs min -1 during the peak of the chorus.…”

Interspecific interactions between mountain and black-capped chickadees within a contact zone.

“…Males vocalise before sunrise for between 15 to 90 minutes in the vicinity of their cavity during the female fertility period (Otter et al 1993, Gammon 2004, Mennill & Otter 2007. Usually, males stop singing or calling when females leave the nest or their roosting spot (e.g.…”

“…Usually, males stop singing or calling when females leave the nest or their roosting spot (e.g. Smith 1991, McCallum et al 1999, Gammon 2004. Females join the males and copulation usually occurs, at which point dawn chorus bouts typically end (e.g.…”

“…Females join the males and copulation usually occurs, at which point dawn chorus bouts typically end (e.g. Otter & Ratcliffe 1993, Gammon 2004 obs.). In some species, it has been shown that females use songs to assess male quality and extra-pair partners (e.g.…”