Faculty Work by year
Title
Seasonal Song Variation in Male Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-29-2021
Publication Title
The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Volume Number
133
Issue Number
2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1676/21-00054
Abstract
Birdsong's primary function is attracting and stimulating mates and repelling rivals during the breeding season. However, many species also sing during the nonbreeding season, which raises questions about the function of nonbreeding season song and the mechanisms underlying its production. In this study, we compared spectral and temporal measurements from a large sample of breeding (N=267) and nonbreeding season songs (N=283) of the Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), a nonmigratory, temperate species that sings year round. We found that breeding season songs were longer than nonbreeding season songs and had more syllables within each song. Trill rate, the number of notes per syllable, minimum and maximum frequency, and frequency bandwidth did not differ detectably between the 2 seasons. This study is the first to examine seasonal song differences in Carolina Wrens and provides a basis for future investigations into the drivers behind this seasonal variation.
First Page
365
Last Page
371
Recommended Citation
Reichard, Dustin G. and Keating, Holly R., "Seasonal Song Variation in Male Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus)" (2021). Faculty Work by year. 54.
https://digitalcommons.owu.edu/faculty_pubs/54
Link Out URL
https://doi.org/10.1676/21-00054