Constraints on song type matching in a songbird

Searcy, William A.; Ocampo, Diego; Nowicki, Stephen

doi:10.1007/s00265-019-2708-6

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Thus, the decision whether to sing a particular song type next depends on the length of the last bout of that song type produced on average one cycle ago. This dependency is also supported by previous results showing that the decision whether to match playback of a particular song type depends on the length of the last bout of that type [29]. Given that the mean cycle length is 9.5 bouts and the mean bout length is 14 songs, following the bout length rule requires dependencies that extend on the order of 130 songs.…”

Section: Discussion (A) Long-distance Dependenciessupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Spectrograms of one or more renditions of each song type were printed (using RAVEN PRO software) to aid in classification. In previous work in this study population, observers blindly classifying songs to song types agreed on the correct classification in 97.7% of cases [29].…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 49%

“…We assigned recorded songs to song types using spectrograms made with AUDACITY software using a 256-point fast Fourier transform and a Hanning window. We classified two songs as the same song type if they shared the same introductory phrase and half or more of all phrases [29]. Spectrograms of one or more renditions of each song type were printed (using RAVEN PRO software) to aid in classification.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The bout length rule is expected as a consequence of two internal mechanisms proposed by Hinde [27] and Falls [28] to underlie cycling: first, a buildup of inhibition for a song type as it is repeated in a bout, and second, a gradual waning of that inhibition once production of the song type has ceased. Indirect support for the bout length rule in song sparrows comes from evidence that males are less likely to match a song type after they have sung a long bout of that type [29]. The rule predicts that bout length will be positively correlated with subsequent recurrence interval.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long-distance dependencies in birdsong syntax

et al. 2022

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Songbird syntax is generally thought to be simple, in particular lacking long-distance dependencies in which one element affects choice of another occurring considerably later in the sequence. Here, we test for long-distance dependencies in the sequences of songs produced by song sparrows ( Melospiza melodia ). Song sparrows sing with eventual variety, repeating each song type in a consecutive series termed a ‘bout'. We show that in switching between song types, song sparrows follow a ‘cycling rule', cycling through their repertoires in close to the minimum possible number of bouts. Song sparrows do not cycle in a set order but rather vary the order of song types from cycle to cycle. Cycling in a variable order strongly implies long-distance dependencies, in which choice of the next type depends on the song types sung over the past cycle, in the range of 9–10 bouts. Song sparrows also follow a ‘bout length rule', whereby the number of repetitions of a song type in a bout is positively associated with the length of the interval until that type recurs. This rule requires even longer distance dependencies that cross one another; such dependencies are characteristic of more complex levels of syntax than previously attributed to non-human animals.

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Section: Discussion (A) Long-distance Dependenciessupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 49%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long-distance dependencies in birdsong syntax

et al. 2022

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“…Such systems have indeed been shown experimentally, but we still do not know how widespread they are and what factors promoted their evolution. One of the reasons for that is the scarcity of research conducted on different model species as the sharing and matching of repertoires can be substantially different between species and even between different populations of the same species ( Searcy et al 2019 ). Even in the best studied model, the song sparrow Melospiza melodia , different research presents dissimilar results, most likely because populations with a different ecology differ in the way they communicate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Song type and song type matching are important for joint territorial defense in a duetting songbird

et al. 2021

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Birds have a diverse acoustic communication system, with species-specific repertoires facilitating more complex behaviors in terms of both within- and between-pair communications. Certain song types are produced for specific functions, such as aggressive encounters. In addition, song matching behaviors, whereby neighboring individuals match song types, can be used in aggressive interactions as a sophisticated acoustic behavior. In this study, we examined the functions of song types, in a duet context, of male yellow-breasted boubous (Laniarius atroflavus), an Afromontane bush-shrike with a vocal sexual dimorphism. We aimed at assessing whether, structurally, certain song types elicited a heightened reaction than others and also whether song matching affected response behavior. A dual speaker playback procedure was performed for 18 pairs of boubous, each pair being exposed to duets with three different male song types. We found differences in response toward the different duet types but these differences resulted from the amount at which males matched different song types. Pairs responded stronger when a focal male matched the playback type, and matching was significantly more often found in cases where the rarest type of male song was used. We found no sex differences in terms of response strength to playback type. Our results indicate a two-level way of coding aggression toward intruding pairs. The yellow-breasted boubous utilize their repertoires, linking matching with structure in order to show aggression in terms of territory defense and sexual conflict. This study also confirms joint territorial defense as a main function of duets in this species.

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