Discrimination of individual vocalizations by black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilla)

Species differences in the identification of acoustic stimuli by birds

“…Okanoya and Dooling (1991) also found a species-specific advantage for discriminating calls in both zebra finches and budgerigars, and Dooling et al (1992) showed an enhanced ability to distinguish between conspecific calls for both species. On the other hand, Phillmore et al (2002) found no species-specific advantage in the recognition of vocalizations by black-capped chickadees for their songs or for zebra finch calls, even when both sets were degraded by recording them from a distance.…”

Black-capped chickadees categorize songs based on features that vary geographically

“…bee), and this frequency relationship between the two notes remains relatively consistent across song bouts (Horn et al, 1992;Weisman et al, 1990). Fee-bee songs contain acoustic features indicating individual identity (Christie et al, 2004a;Hahn et al, 2013b), and field (Wilson & Mennill, 2010) and laboratory (Phillmore et al, 2002) studies have demonstrated that chickadees can discriminate among individuals based on their songs. Although the black-capped chickadees' range extends across most of North America (Smith, 1991), little geographical variation has been described in this song (although, variation has been found in geographically isolated populations of chickadees, where some animals produce unusual songs; see Gammon & Baker, 2004;Kroodsma et al, 1999).…”

Avian psychology and communication

“…Chaiken et al 1997;Njegovan & Weisman 1997;Riebel & Slater 1998;Riebel 2000). These studies are useful because they reveal the sensory capabilities of birds while eliminating problems of motivational changes and constraints of the breeding season Beckers et al 2003;Phillmore et al 2002). However, care must be taken when interpreting these results, since contextual cues found in the wild that could either aid or hinder discrimination are not available to the birds; the results should therefore be validated in a natural system.…”