Playback of colony sound alters the breeding schedule and clutch size in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) colonies

Abstract

The hypothesis that social stimulation, derived from the presence and activities of conspecifics, can hasten and synchronize breeding in colonies of birds was tested. A modified playback/recorder system was used to continuously exaggerate the amount of colony sound available to zebra finches throughout their courtship period. Males that heard 'sound supplements' generated from their own colony sang more than males in control colonies that did not receive playback; males that heard samples from a different colony, sang at an intermediate level. Females that were exposed to the vocalizations of their mate and playback from a colony other than their own, laid eggs earlier and more synchronously than females in control colonies. Females that heard the vocalizations of their mate along with playback samples generated from their own colony, laid eggs more synchronously but not earlier than control females. Both acoustic treatments caused females to lay larger clutches. Social stimulation influences the breeding schedule and clutch size in zebra finch colonies. If there are advantages associated with these effects, social stimulation may contribute to the maintenance of colonial breeding systems.

Captive breeding and reintroduction of the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni: a genetic analysis using microsatellites

“…The first hypothesis would predict an increase of the variance in male breeding success because of mixed reproductive strategies such as those observed, although at low rates, in wild colonies [see exceptional polygynous mating systems in Tella et al (1996) and low extra-pair paternity rates \7.5% in Alcaide et al (2005)]. Alternatively, the simulation of colonial environments may stimulate the breeding behaviour of individuals which could otherwise remain sexually inactive (see for instance Waas et al 2005), with the subsequent increase in overall productivity compared to single-breeding pairs. Finally, we evaluated the extent of genetic variation that has been successfully transmitted from captive stocks to reintroduced populations to help optimize the main genetic goal of a reintroduction program.…”

A potential mate influences reproductive development in female, but not male, pine siskins

“…However, a wider array of social cues may be important in regulating reproductive timing. For example, signals, particularly auditory signals, from other pairs have been found to influence reproductive timing in captive and free-living birds (Mariette et al, 2015; Setiawan et al, 2007; Waas et al, 2005). The birds in our experiments could hear, but not see, conspecifics belonging to the same treatment group.…”

“…Previous studies of birds have found that cues from opposite sex individuals can stimulate gonadal recrudescence and advance the onset of breeding in both males and females (Brockway, 1965; Hinde and Steel, 1978; Lehrman, 1965; Morton et al, 1985; Perfito et al, 2015; and references below). Most studies of females have examined the effects of male displays, particularly vocal displays (e.g., Bentley et al, 2000; Friedman, 1977; Kroodsma, 1976; Waas et al, 2005), whereas most studies of males have examined the effect of the presence of a female (e.g., Burger, 1953; Haase et al, 1976). Rarely, have studies examined the effect of a particular type of social cue on both males and females.…”

Social cues are unlikely to be the single cause for early reproduction in urban European blackbirds (Turdus merula)

“…At the physiological levels, receptive male sparrows and cowbirds showed an increase in plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone when housed with a conspecific female [12,13], and social stimuli emitted by females prevented testicular regression of male starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) [14]. At the behavioral level, playback of male song was shown to influence the behavior of both male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata); males supplemented with playback song sang more frequently than non-supplemented males, and females who heard these extrasongs laid eggs earlier and increased clutch size compared to control females [15]. Ambient temperature and food availability have also been suggested to affect reproductive timing [16].…”