Dawn singing behavior of a tropical bird species, the Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata

Abstract

This paper aims to study the structure and pattern of dawn song in a tropical avian species, the Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata) in Haridwar (29 0 55' N, 78 0 08' E; Uttarakhand, India) in 2009. Males delivered complex dawn chorus on daily basis during only breeding season (February to July). The dawn song bout was made up of a number of distinct sections called song types. Each song type consisted of a series of similar or dissimilar units referred to as elements. Song type length averaged 1.43±0.23 sec and did not differ significantly among males. The average number and types of elements in a song type were observed 8.15±1.64 and 8.01±1.56, respectively.In more than 80% of observations, song types were delivered with immediate variety and males did not follow any definite sequential pattern of song delivery. Males sang continuously for about 30 min at high rates during dawn. Males performed continuous dawn singing throughout the breeding season and seemed to interact vocally through counter-singing for extended period. Observations suggest that dawn song delivery in Pied Bush Chat plays an important role in maintenance and adjustment of social relationship among neighbouring males.

Does a rival’s song elicit territorial defense in a tropical songbird, the Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata)?

“…Afterward, males attacked their supposed opponent by flying straight at it, and such flights were mostly accompanied with songs during aggression displays by the residents. As evidence of territorial function, the song in Pied Bush Chats has been reported to occur throughout the breeding season during which territories are maintained and is confined to the defended area (Sethi, Bhatt, & Kumar, 2012). The evidence from previous studies suggests that territorial males perform counter-singing with their neighbors (Wasserman, 1977) and also sing in response to the simulated territorial intrusions (Falls, 1981).…”

Vocal traits of shorebird chicks are related to body mass and sex

“…Overall, calls between the sexes were similar in most respects. Contextually, this study analysed distress calls (loud, harsh, and locatable; Sethi et al 2012), which are likely under the influence of natural selection (Martin et al 2011). Some non-distress vocalisations (e.g.…”

Vocal traits of shorebird chicks are related to body mass and sex

“…Contextually, this study analysed distress calls (loud, harsh and locatable; Sethi et al . 2012), which are probably under the influence of natural selection (Martin et al . 2011).…”

“…Acoustic communication can be critical in the early life of birds. In nestlings, begging calls can solicit parental feeding, contact calls can help parents locate and identify offspring, and distress calls given during social separation, environmental challenges or handling can startle predators or elicit help from parents, conspecifics, or other nearby species (Stefanski & Falls 1972, Sethi et al 2012. Several studies have investigated the function of calls in juvenile birds (e.g.…”