Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Repertoire size and composition in great tits- a flexibility test using playbacks
Author(s)
Franco, P., Slabbekoorn, H.
Abstract
In many bird species, song repertoire characteristics play an important role in intersexual competition and intrasexual attraction. Studies on the importance of having a large repertoire typically assume the available song types as a fixed trait. However, repertoire composition may be flexible. We explored the effects of playbacks on the composition and use of the song type repertoire in great tits, Parus major. Playbacks simulate a nearby competitor male, vocally advertising territoriality. We compared the effects of novel song types with two control groups, one in which we played back one of the song types from the repertoire of the focal individual, and one without playback. The repertoire size for individual great tits of actively used song types remained more or less constant, but playbacks led to a significant turnover in repertoire composition over a relatively short period (about a week). The repertoire assessment across three experimental phases led to significantly larger accumulated repertoires compared to the more traditional short-term assessment method. The appearance of new song types was especially prominent among birds treated with a novel song type, suggesting the process is socially mediated. None of the 'new' song types were accurate copies of the novel unfamiliar song types played back. We discuss the potential origin of these 'new' song types and the impact of repertoire plasticity on signal value for sexual selection.
Keywords
Birdsong; Cognition; Great tit; Parus major; Plasticity; Repertoire size; Sexual selection; Song learning
Access Full Text
Back
DMX731200000