Caro SP, Keulen C, Poncin P (2009) Song repertoires in a western European
population of Yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella. Acta Ornithologica 44:
9-16.
Geographic variation is one of the most intensively studied bird song
topics. However, our knowledge of geographical song variations in most
species studied so far is very sparse, with many areas of the
species-typical geographic distributions still unexplored. One striking
example is the Yellowhammer: for this species most song studies have
been conducted along well defined dialect borders, but almost nothing is
known about its song characteristics in other
regions of its broad geographic distribution. In this study, we
investigated the song structure variations and stereotypes in different
areas of western Belgium and northern France. We described 66 different
song types (a-elements) in 45 males recorded. Each male had a unique
individual repertoire consisting of 1 to 4 of these song types. This
high variability high homogeneity of the specific repertoire over the
whole geographic distribution of the species. The evolutionary
implications of such specificity are discussed with regard to song
learning and timing of singing activity. Finally, all males recorded
belonged to the western regiolect, although some mixedsingers were also
recorded. These results contrast with the very few studies previously
conducted in western Europe which have suggested that eastern regiolect
songs were common in this geographic area.
Wegrzyn E, Leniowski K & Osiejuk TS (2009) Introduce yourself at the
beginning - possible identification function of the initial part of the
song in the Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus. Ornis Fennica
86: 61-70
We analyzed a set of frequency and temporal characteristics of the
introductory syllables in the song of the Great Reed Warbler
(Acrocephalus arundinaceus) to assess their poten- tial for individual
recognition. We also tested if the initial syllables maintained their
indi- vidual characteristics over a longer period by comparing their
characteristics within a breeding season and over years for individually
marked males. We found that within- male seasonal differences in
introductory syllables were smaller than differences between males,
which enabled correct classification of the majority of individuals
within a season. However, the parameters of the introductory syllables
of particular males tended to change over years, which diminishes the
chances for correctly classifying males across seasons. Our results
suggest that the introductory syllables of the Great Reed Warbler song
contain sufficient information for male identification, but only within
a particular season. As the studied syllables are found in nearly all
songs of the Great Reed Warbler, including both long songs attracting
females and short songs used during aggressive en- counters with rival
males or after pair formation, they may play an important function in
both mate and rival recognition.
Download from http://www.ornisfennica.org/pdf/vol86-2/3Wegrzyn.pdf
Best,
Tomasz
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