First documentation of vocal mimicry in female northern mockingbirds

Gammon, David E.; Stracey, Christine M.

doi:10.1007/s10336-022-01980-7

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Outside of mammals, research on female vocal display has focused on songbirds (oscine passerines), in which female singing is observed across a majority of species, and represents an ancestral behavioural pattern [24]. Indeed, even vocal mimicry has been observed in female northern mockingbirds [25]. While female song occurs in fewer species than male song and females often sing less frequently than males, exceptions to this trend exist.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Females counter-sing, but response to male song differs by sex in Alston's singing mouse

Tripp,

Phelps

2024

Biol. Lett.

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Vocal display behaviours are common throughout the animal kingdom, play important roles in both courtship and aggression, and are frequent subjects of behavioural research. Although females of many species vocalize, an overwhelming fraction of behavioural research has focused on male display. We investigated vocal display behaviours in female singing mice ( Scotinomys teguina ), small muroid rodents in which both sexes produce songs consisting of trills of rapid, downward frequency sweeps. Previous research established that male singing mice increase song production and engage in precisely timed counter-singing behaviour in response to playback of conspecific male song. We tested whether female singing mice also increased their rate of singing in response to playback of male song, whether they counter-sing, and whether there are sexual dimorphisms in song effort. Our results demonstrate that much like males, female singing mice increase their song effort and counter-sing in response to playback of male song; however, females sing fewer and shorter songs compared to males. This study further informs the understanding of female vocal behaviour and establishes the singing mouse as a valuable model for investigating female vocal display.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Females counter-sing, but response to male song differs by sex in Alston's singing mouse

Tripp,

Phelps

2024

Biol. Lett.

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“…While male mockingbirds engage in song matching during countersinging, its function is unknown and it is unknown if females countersing or song match (Farnsworth et al 2020). As in most species (Odom and Benedict 2018), the extent and acoustic structure of female mockingbird songs have not been well studied (but see Gammon and Stracey 2022).…”

Section: Study Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Singing on the nest is a widespread behavior in incubating Northern Mockingbirds and increases probability of nest predation

et al. 2023

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In this study, we documented for the first time singing on the nest (SOTN) in 74% of 65 Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) nests that were monitored with continuous-running video cameras (8,353.9 hr sampled). As predicted, higher rates of SOTN significantly decreased daily survival rates of nests. SOTN occurred almost exclusively by females during the egg stage and in 86% (48 of 56) of nests for which we had sampling from the egg stage. While extensive at the population level, the average rate of SOTN per individual was very low (5.24 ± 1.24 s SOTN per hour of video sampled). We found mixed support for the hypothesis that SOTN functions in territory maintenance. We found no support for the hypotheses that SOTN functions to coordinate parental care, defend nests, or aid in vocal learning. Given the limited attention SOTN has received and the mostly anecdotal accounts of it, our understanding of its costs and benefits is lacking. We conclude that while individual rates of SOTN are quite low, SOTN may be more widespread in populations than previously thought and that studies specifically designed to test hypotheses regarding potential functions are critically needed.

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Cultural divergence and morphological variation of isolated remnant populations of the endangered Floreana mockingbird

Reyes,

Roper,

Sevilla

et al. 2024

Pacific Conserv. Biol.

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Context Cultural divergence refers to changes over time in behavioural traits. These cultural changes could have important implications for conservation planning, and impact the success of conservation efforts such as translocations. Aims Here, we investigate the extent, and potential impacts, of cultural divergence in two isolated populations of the Floreana mockingbird (Mimus trifasciatus) on the Galápagos Islands. Methods Using contemporary recordings of vocalisations we test for spatial vocal differentiation between mockingbird populations. Furthermore, we explore the potential drivers of change using morphological measurements and historical recordings of the species. Key results We found evidence of spatial and temporal differentiation in vocalisations between the two populations of the Floreana mockingbird. We accurately classified over 75% of the birds to the correct populations based on multivariate measures of audio recordings using canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). We also found significant differences in morphometrics between populations; specifically, beak depth was associated with frequency modulation, an acoustic measure that is significantly different between populations. Furthermore, we found evidence of change in the complexity of the vocalisations over a period of 57 years. Conclusions Cultural divergence was found in the two remaining populations of this endangered species. Factors such as changes in morphology and cultural drift might have been influenced the change in vocalisation across time and populations. Implications We highlight the importance of considering behavioural factors when planning reintroductions of endangered species where there is a need to minimise the risk of assortative mating so as to maximise genetic diversity.

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First documentation of vocal mimicry in female northern mockingbirds

Cited by 4 publications

References 37 publications

Females counter-sing, but response to male song differs by sex in Alston's singing mouse

Females counter-sing, but response to male song differs by sex in Alston's singing mouse

Singing on the nest is a widespread behavior in incubating Northern Mockingbirds and increases probability of nest predation

Cultural divergence and morphological variation of isolated remnant populations of the endangered Floreana mockingbird

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