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
Singing silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
Author(s)
Lausen, Cori L.;Falxa, Greg A.;Solick, Donald I.;McEwan, Alexandria L.;Baker, Michael D.;de Freitas, Emily;Sarell, Mike
Published
2023
Publisher
Wildlife Society Bulletin
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1500
Abstract
Characterizing sounds produced by animals can lead to better understanding of their behavioral ecology and conservation. While considerable focus has been on signals used by bats for echolocation, there has been less emphasis on nonecholocation sounds. We describe songs (i.e., acoustic vocalizations with distinctive syllable types in series or in complex motifs) produced by silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). Songs, characterized by a sequence (song phrase) of 3 distinct vocalization types, were confirmed by observing free-flying, silver-haired bats at mine hibernacula in British Columbia, Canada. The song patterns were relatively consistent with each song phrase consisting of a lead call, followed by a droplet call, and finishing with a series of multiple chirp calls. The function of the songs is unknown, however, as other bat species produce songs for mating, we propose silver-haired bat songs may similarly be associated with courtship or mating. Alternative functions cannot be ruled out, particularly because we recorded some songs outside of the accepted mating period. Other research has determined peak mating of silver-haired bats occurs in fall, and spring mating has been documented. Here we additionally provide evidence of winter mating in British Columbia. The proportion of silver-haired bat songs recorded relative to echolocation recordings varied across locations and seasons. While we recorded songs in all months of the year, more than half of the songs were produced during winter, and 93.4% (of 1,857) were produced outside of summer months. Song production in summer could be associated with other behaviors such as learning or practice, establishing or maintaining social bonds, or male-male competition. To provide landscape and temporal context, we summarize acoustic datasets from numerous locations in western North America where recordings were made between 2005 and 2022.
Keywords
acoustics;animal communication;hibernation;Lasionycteris noctivagans;mating;silver-haired bat;social calls;songs;species identification;winter activity
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB36220