Detection and discrimination of natural calls in masking noise by birds: estimating the active space of a signal

Lohr, Bernard; Wright, Timothy F.; Dooling, Robert J.

doi:10.1006/anbe.2003.2093

Cited by 293 publications

(249 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…However, both of these outcomes represent a reduced ability to respond to important acoustic information. Research suggests that the threshold for discrimination is approximately 3 dB higher than for detection (Lohr et al 2003), and thus the physical space within which discrimination of a signal can occur may be much smaller than the previously stated reduction in listening area. This small window for signal discrimination may partially explain how responses were affected even at the relatively short signal-receiver distance of our experiment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Our focus on the effects of acoustic masking from chronic noise at compressor sites in a natural system, as opposed to lab-based, intermittent, or experimentally introduced noise (Lohr et al 2003, Slabbekoorn and Peet 2003, Pohl et al 2009, Halfwerk et al 2011) provides needed field-based evidence that auditory surveillance is impaired by chronic noise. As well, this study is the first to consider responses of (Table 1), are marked with squares and surround the origin, representing the mean song.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The area is represented as a circular zone centered on the receiver that represents the physical space of the perceptual range for detection of an acoustic signal. That is, listening area is a natural complement to the concept of "active space", which is the maximum distance from the sender that a signal is perceptible by the receiver (Lohr et al 2003, Gall et al 2012. Background noise can impact this perceptual range and might decrease detection distance by up to 50% with each increase in 3 dB (Barber et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To illustrate, our results show how reception of the signal may be affected at a sender-receiver distance of only 17 m. Even at this relatively short distance, our data support a dampening of response to intruder song in two species as noise levels increase from 33.9 to 52.4 dB(A), suggesting that listening area for detection and, especially, discrimination might be drastically smaller for wild birds than previously thought. For instance, Lohr et al 2003 estimate that receivers listening at 17 m should be able to detect and discriminate calls at traffic noise amplitudes in excess of 80 dB(A).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic noise weakens territorial response to intruder's songs

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Noise pollution degrades natural acoustic conditions, potentially interfering with bird communication. However, exactly how noise impacts the ability of the signal receiver to detect and discriminate vocalizations from conspecifics remains understudied in field settings. We performed a natural experiment to determine the effect of noise pollution on the territory-defense behaviors of two emberizid sparrows exposed to carefully constructed playbacks of conspecific intruder songs. Although all birds reacted to the playbacks, response latency increased with noise levels. This suggests that noise interferes with signal reception and may indicate impaired signal discrimination. We place these results in the context of a receiver's "listening area" and the significant impact of noise pollution on this receiver-centric perceptual acoustic range. This work informs conservation efforts and provides a much needed fieldbased examination of the disruptive impact of noise pollution on behaviors directly related to reproduction and fitness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic noise weakens territorial response to intruder's songs

et al. 2016

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“…Breeding pairs defend only a small area around their nest site, which is often in close proximity to nest sites of conspecifics (Lowther and Cink, 2006). Note, however, that it is unclear whether thresholds under more realistic, noisy conditions vary seasonally, because absolute thresholds do not necessarily predict thresholds in noise (Langemann et al, 1998;Lohr et al, 2003). Previous studies of seasonal auditory plasticity found no variation in thresholds of the plainfin midshipman and northern leopard frog (Sisneros et al, 2004;Goense and Feng, 2005) or in ABR latency of Carolina chickadees, house sparrows and tufted titmice (Lucas et al, 2002;Lucas et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vocally correlated seasonal auditory variation in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Henry

Lucas

2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYSongbirds exhibit seasonal plasticity in a broad variety of behavioral and morphological traits associated with reproduction. Changes in song production are well described while changes in song reception are not. In the present study, we test for seasonal variation in auditory processing of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus L.) using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to tone bursts. We measured amplitude and latency of the first ABR peak in spring, summer and autumn at stimulus frequencies from 0.8 to 6.4kHz and intensity levels from 24 to 80dB SPL. ABR thresholds were determined at each frequency using cross-correlation. Amplitude was greater in spring than in autumn at frequencies from 3.2 to 6.4kHz whereas latency and thresholds exhibited no seasonal variation. The results indicate an increase in the number or temporal synchrony of responses from peripheral auditory neurons during the early breeding season. Changes in peripheral auditory processing may enhance temporal coding of the fine structure and envelope of song; thereby, improving assessment of encoded information in both sexes (e.g. individual identity and dominance status) and auditory feedback during song production in males. Peripheral auditory changes may be mediated by reproductive hormones, and could involve changes in hair cell density on the basilar papilla. Our results suggest that peripheral auditory processing of songbirds changes seasonally in parallel with other behavioral and morphological traits, such as song production.

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Intraspecific variation in advertisement call characteristics and acoustic strategies among male forest green tree frogs

Itakura

Sakai

Sato³

et al. 2023

Population Ecology

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Frogs are a representative taxon that use advertisement calls to aid in reproduction. In most frog species, calls vary with body size, and allometric constraints between body size and call frequency have been widely reported among anuran species. Although this variation is an important driver of sexual selection in frogs, male advertisement call strategies may also vary according to body size. In this study, we conducted playback experiments on the male forest green tree frog (Zhangixalus arboreus) to determine whether male advertisement call characteristics and strategies vary according to body size and the amplitude of intraspecific chorus noise. The results indicated that the calls of larger individuals are louder and lower than those of smaller ones, who call more frequently; moreover, the calls become lower, and the number of calls decreases, as noise levels increase. These findings suggest that forest green tree frog emits lower calls or refrains from calling when chorus noise increases, and that intraspecific variation in advertisement call characteristics can induce different strategies in response to chorus noise. Because advertisement call variation with body size is common among frog species, intraspecific variation in male advertisement call strategies may also be a common phenomenon.

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Detection and discrimination of natural calls in masking noise by birds: estimating the active space of a signal

Cited by 293 publications

References 58 publications

Anthropogenic noise weakens territorial response to intruder's songs

Anthropogenic noise weakens territorial response to intruder's songs

Vocally correlated seasonal auditory variation in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Intraspecific variation in advertisement call characteristics and acoustic strategies among male forest green tree frogs

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