The organization and variability of song in Northern House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon parkmanii)
Date
2013
Authors
Kaluthota, Chinthaka D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Psychology, c2013
Abstract
Hypothesized functions of complex song in birds include a role in mate attraction
and territory defense and, through regional dialects, in genetic substructuring of
populations and speciation. The necessary first step in testing such functions is a detailed
characterization of song organization and variability. This is provided for the Northern
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), a species noted for complex song, but lacking detailed
descriptions. The species was studied at two sites in Alberta with a sample of 15,000
songs from 15 males. Males sang in long bouts, each song composed of multiple syllable
types and repeated many times before switching. The population repertoire of 27
syllables was almost entirely shared, but used to construct novel repertoires of up to 200
different song types for individual males without evidence of a ceiling. Additional
flexibility and constraints in song construction are discussed in view of the above noted
functions of song complexity.
Description
x, 111 leaves : ill., maps ; 29 cm
Keywords
House wren -- Vocalization -- Research -- Alberta , Birdsongs -- Research -- Alberta , Learning in animals , Animal communication , Dissertations, Academic