Solos, duets and choruses: vocal behaviour of the Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha), a cooperatively breeding neotropical songbird

Abstract

Vocal communication in duetting and chorusing birds is a growing area of study in avian ecology, yet much remains unknown about temporal and population-level variation in these complex vocal signals. In this study, we describe the acoustic structure and temporal variation in solos, duets, and choruses in the Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha), a cooperatively breeding neotropical passerine. We collected focal recordings of 19 groups to assess both diel and seasonal variation in vocal output, as well as population-wide sharing of vocal signals. We found that birds produce a complex array of vocalisations, including tonal, frequency-modulated syllables grouped into phrases, as well as stereotyped, atonal sounds. Songs are produced as solos or combined into duets and choruses. Solo and duet songs show a dawn chorus effect. Solo song rate, but not duet or chorus rate, varied across breeding stages. The majority of phrases are shared amongst groups, significantly more amongst groups in nearby territories. We suggest that chorus songs may be an important indicator of group identity and may play a role in maintaining group territories, but do not play a role in relation to the breeding cycle. The degree of population-wide phrasesharing suggests either short-distance dispersal or delayed song learning. This paper is the first fine-scale description of vocal behaviour in this species and enhances our understanding of group-singing in a complex social environment.

Duetting behavior in a Neotropical ovenbird: sexual and seasonal variation and adaptive signaling functions

“…However, the singing and breeding phenology of tropical birds differ substantially from north-temperate birds: females sing year-round and join male songs to create duets in many tropical species (Slater and Mann 2004, Odom et al 2014, Tobias et al 2016. For a more global understanding of variation in the phenology of singing effort, we must study species that exhibit female song (Langmore 1998, Cain andLangmore 2015) and coordinated song, such as duetting (Hall 2006, 2009, Topp and Mennill 2008, Bradley and Mennill 2009a, Dowling and Webster 2013, Odom et al 2016.…”

Duet Function in the Yellow‐Naped Amazon, Amazona auropalliata: Evidence From Playbacks of Duets and Solos

“…Over 400 avian species (Farabaugh 1982; Hall 2009; Hall 2004), many insects (Bailey 2003) and several mammals (primarily gibbons) give duets (Mitani 1985). Choruses, which involve more than two individuals, occur as well but appear to be less common than duets (Bradley & Mennill 2009a; Mann et al 2006; Seddon & Tobias 2003). Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain why animals give duets; duets can be either cooperative, conflict-based or a mix of both, and may be directed internally (to one’s partner) or externally to other conspecifics (Hall 2009; Hall 2004).…”

“…The joint territory defense hypothesis suggests that cooperative duets are more effective for the defense of territories than solos because they indicate a well-coordinated pair committed to joint territory defense (Bradley & Mennill 2009a; Seddon & Tobias 2003). Duets may also be used to establish and maintain territories; these additional functions can be considered to fall under the umbrella of the joint territory defense hypothesis.…”

“…One technique that can effectively test both these hypotheses is the use of playback experiments in which three types of stimuli are broadcast to resident pairs: duets, male solos and female solos (Bradley & Mennill 2009a; Douglas & Mennill 2010; Fedy & Stutchbury 2005; Grafe & Bitz 2004; Levin 1996b; Marshall-Ball et al 2006). The joint territory defense hypothesis gives rise to the prediction that pair members would respond to playbacks in an aggressive and coordinated manner, by approaching speakers together, remaining in close physical proximity and/or vocalizing together (Hall & Peters 2008).…”

Supplemental Material for 'Molecular phylogenetics of the wrens and allies (Passeriformes, Certhioidea), with comments on the relationships of Ferminia. (American Museum novitates, no. 3887)'

“…The species exhibits some interesting parallels with Cistothorus, including living in a marsh habitat, construction of woven domed nests on grasses or emergent vegetation (Martínez and Martínez, 1991;Llanes Sosa and Mancina, 2002;Forneris and Martínez, 2003), and vocal similarities. Based on recordings and videos (Internet Bird Collection, http://www.hbw.com/ibc/species/zapata-wren-ferminia-cerverai; Xeno-canto, http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Ferminia-cerverai; both accessed September 2017), male Ferminia have vocal repertoires (e.g., see Xeno-canto catalog XC256894), as in many wren species (e.g., Kroodsma, 1975;Kroodsma and Verner, 1978;Molles and Vehrencamp, 1999;Logue, 2006;Bradley and Mennill, 2009), and may engage in matched countersinging as seen in some Cistothorus (Kroodsma and Verner, 1978). At least some Ferminia songs include a series of repeated low-frequency syllables most closely matched among wrens, based on my extensive listening to wren vocalizations both in the field and in recordings, by songs of the marsh wren C. palustris (e.g., fig.…”