Complex communication signals: the case of the Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina (Aves, Emberizidae) song. Part I - A structural analysis

Abstract

The song of the Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina is different for every individual and the structural differences between individuals are quite complex. Samples of songs from different Brazilian localities, as well as from Venezuela and Mexico, were studied through a comparative analysis of their sonograms. From the structural point of view, the results show a song composed of a single note that is compacted in a ''window'' between 2 and 13 kHz and rarely occupying more than half of a second. The note is essentially pure and is repeatedly uttered with a high level of fidelity. A global frequency modulation decreases from the beginning to the end of the song. The main song components are referred to as ''Blocks'' and are of three types: ''Vibrations'' (Buzzes or Vibratos), ''Arabesques'' (complex notes) and ''Isolated Modulations'' (simple syllables). Among other characteristics are double voices, which are quite diverse and probably function as codes for individual recognition. This song is considered a special case where a signature system has been developed to a high level of inter-individual variability.

Overlooked evidence for semantic compositionality and signal reduction in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

“…Specifically, Progovac believes that such linguistic phenomena form a kind of "protosyntax" which was present at least from Homo heidelbergensis (i.e., the phylogenetically intermediate species between Homo erectus and anatomically modern humans). Similar, yet less elaborate proposals have been made by others as well (e.g., Barham and Everett 2020;Benítez-Burraco and Progovac 2020;Botha 2020;Dediu and Levinson 2013Everett 2017;Gabrić 2019Gabrić , 2021aGabrić et al 2018Gabrić et al , 2021Gil 2008Gil , 2009Michlich 2018). The current reinterpretation of Brutus's communication suggests the possibility that such or similar communicational behaviors might have been present before the human-chimpanzee split and, by extension, in hominins predating Homo sapiens, although not necessarily in the vocal modality.…”

“…Furthermore, numerous studies have suggested that some communication systems of wild and some domestic bird, whale, and primate taxa exhibit syntactic properties, i.e., rules for combining different structures or structure types (Berwick et al 2011 , 2012 ; Griesser et al 2018 ; Steinert-Threlkeld 2016 ; Suzuki et al 2018 , 2019 ; ten Cate and Okanoya 2012 ), including, for example, Australo-Papuan babblers ( Pomatostomidae ; Engesser et al 2019 ), tanagers ( Thraupidae ; Fandiño-Mariño and Vielliard 2004 ), hummingbirds ( Trochilidae ; Ficken et al 2000 ), tits ( Paridae ; Hailman et al 1985 ), chickadees ( Poecile ; Freeberg 2008 ; Freeberg and Lucas 2012 ), true finches ( Fringillidae ; Riebel and Slater 2003 ), New World sparrows ( Passerellidae ; Rose et al 2004 ), estrildid finches ( Estrildidae ; Abe and Watanabe 2011 ; Beckers et al 2012 ; Honda and Okanoya 1999 ; Katahira et al 2007 ; Leonardo 2002 ; Sturdy et al 1999 ; van Heijningen et al 2009 ), nightingales and relatives ( Luscinia ; Hultsch and Todt 1989 ; Todt and Hultsch 1996 , 1998 ), starlings ( Sturnidae ; Gentner et al 2006 ), gulls ( Laridae ; Beer 1976 ), bats ( Chiroptera ; Bohn et al 2013 ), mice (Chabout et al 2015 ), mongooses ( Herpestidae ; Fitch 2012 ), humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ; Mercado et al 2005 ; Payne and McVay 1971 ; Suzuki et al 2006 ), tamarins ( Saguinus ; Fitch 2012 ), capuchins ( Cebinae ; Robinson 1984 ), and gibbons ( Hylobatidae ; Clarke et al 2006 ; Haimoff 1985 ; Inoue et al 2017 , 2020a , b ; Terleph et al 2018 ). Hurford ( 2012 : 97) comments: “Despite serious underexploitation of combinatoriality, […] whalesong and...…”

Song Structure and Repertoire Sharing in the Tawny PipitAnthus campestrisin Poland

“…The presence of consistent between-male differences, which also concerned males sharing the same song types, suggests that the song structure in this species may be important for individual recognition. The presence of complex acoustic structures within the songs, including two-voice syllables (Nowicki & Capranica 1986, Slabbekoorn & Smith 2000 also suggests its importance in individual recognition (Fandiňo-Mariňo & Vielliard 2004).…”