While some disagree entirely with use of playbacks for either photography o=
r
sound recordings, I will nonetheless mention a couple of observations about
the technique that I think are relevant:
1) Do not overdo it! In my opinion, one gets the best results by playing a
bird's song only until he quits singing and comes in (assuming that you
begin playback at a time when you hear the territorial male singing or see
him in the distance). In most instances, the territorial bird will quit
singing almost instantly and fly toward the speaker (although you usually
don't see him coming in). I may play another song or perhaps two after he
quits singing, but I always assume that he's on the move and heading toward
the speaker, or perched alert nearby. Quite often, the bird turns out to be
close by, quietly looking for the intruder. After some seconds or even a
minute or so, he will often come almost directly to the speaker,in the
absence of further playbacks, having already determined the exact location
of the speaker.
2) If a bird approaches the speaker, DO NOT play another song! If you do,
the bird will often fly away, or else he will become disturbed and ruffle
his feathers. Normally, when disturbed in this manner, the bird will not
sing, so it's completely counterproductive to play any more songs.
3) If the bird approaches and you immediately quit playback, he will usuall=
y
look around from a nearby perch or else fly from perch to perch in the area
surrounding the speaker. Finally, if there are no more playbacks, he will
often begin singing from closeby in a very natural fashion, without ruffled
wings, and in a manner typical of a bird after a normal encounter. That is
because he is (probably) assuming that the "intruder" flew away. He has
supplanted the intruder, putting him in a victorious mood.
Excessive playback of songs when a bird is in the immediately vicinity of
the speaker could very well cause undue stress, and I strongly advise
against it.
In fact, for sound recording, I advise against using playbacks at all,
except perhaps under unusual circumstances. For photography, it is a
workable technique that I believe has minimal impact when used
appropriately.
Lang
> Roger C Boughton wrote:
>>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> The use of call-down for anything except strictly controlled scientific
>> purposes should be discouraged. It is intrusive and can be seriously
>> distuptive to the species concerned.
>>
>> As for the recording one would obtain, well, the sounds recorded would b=
e a
>> response to a challenge within the subjects territory and would tend to =
be an
>> alarm or anxiety calls. Even if the subject responds with a song the
>> challenge would be there, and it could be argued that the sound recorded
>> would not be the true song of the species.
>>
>> Certain species are very territorial and great distress will occur.
>
> As I've noted, this is a human interpretation, it may not be the
> interpretation of the bird. It's a error to ever apply human type
> emotional descriptions to the actions of animals. It's the first thing
> covered in Animal Ethology if I remember the course correctly. In other
> words it's fundamental to studying animal behavior. We have to keep our
> notions and emotions out of it.
>
> As was noted in the discussion that Doug posted, it may actually help
> for all we know. As long as it's used in moderation. It would seem
> logical that very heavy use might have the effect of wasting too much of
> a bird's time. On the scale of stress inducers, it's pretty minor.
>
> The other thing out of that was that there are no formal studies that
> might shed light on just how disruptive it might be. That a bird defends
> it's territory is not enough to say it's a problem. Maybe that just
> puffs him up, the extra confidence causes him to enlarge his territory,
> which leads to his greater breeding success. It's just as likely.
> Without study of each species we won't know.
>
> My personal belief is it can be abused. Or substituted for good
> fieldcraft by those unwilling to take the time. I don't like to see that
> more because I think people should really make the effort to understand
> their subjects than any other reason. It can become a crutch for the
> lazy. And in tourist situations caters to the bambi syndrome. In
> moderation, used carefully, it's probably neutral in it's effect and a
> valuable tool. And certainly not something to be banned outright.
>
> I do agree as far as recording, if you want natural sounds you have to
> do it the hard way. Or at least you have to observe enough during
> periods when you are not playing anything to be completely familiar with
> normal calling patterns so you can judge if the calls are changed. And
> if you have done that and not recorded, shame on you!
>
> You should be aware that just the presence of the recordist and his gear
> is often enough to change the calls. Again, you have to take the time if
> you want good recording of natural calls.
>
> Walt
>
>
>
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