Differences in duet coordination influence territorial response on a year-round territorial bird species
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v73iS2.64525Keywords:
acoustic communication, duets, duet coordination, Passerellidae, sparrows.Abstract
Introduction: Twelve functions have been assigned to avian vocal duets (e.g., maintaining contact, mate guarding, signaling quality, or resource defense). To separate between functions of duets it is necessary to take into account who is the receiver, the information coded by the sender, and if there is a conflict between pair members. Duets used for resource defense (e.g., territory) are a more aggressive signal than solo songs because they act as a joint defense signal that encode a pairs’ strength or time together in the coordination of both individuals’ song. Therefore, interacting pairs may use duet coordination to respond according to rival information.
Objective: Our main objective in this study was to test whether the coordination in time and frequency of White-eared Ground-Sparrow (Melozone leucotis) pair duets influences the territorial response of conspecific pairs.
Methods: We recorded 2-5 duets from 31 territorial pairs and measured duet coordination by dividing each ground-sparrow duet into three sections (include sections here) according to each individual’s contribution. In each section we measured frequency range and duration and the difference in frequency range and duration between the introductory and middle section, and the middle and terminal section of each duet. We then used a playback experiments to test pair response to duet coordination. Each pair were exposed to two types of duets: highly coordinated duets and a poorly coordinated duets.
Results: We exposed 31 pairs to these two treatments during duet playbacks and measured their territorial response according to the simulated intruders’ duet coordination. We found that pairs that produced highly coordinated duets approached faster and spent more time closer to all playbacks. By comparison, territorial pairs spent more time closer to the poorly coordinated duet stimulus. Total number of vocalization produced in response to duet stimuli were similar between stimuli and independent of the duet coordination of the territorial pairs.
Conclusions: Our study indicates that, duet coordination in territorial pairs of White-eared Ground-sparrows is a good predictor of the strength in territorial defense and suggests that pairs used duet coordination to perceive the level of threat from an intruder.
Downloads
References
Bates, D., Mächler, M., Bolker, B., & Walker, S. (2015). Fitting linear mixed-effects models using lme4. Journal of Statistical Software, 67(1), 1–48. https://doi.org/10.18637/jss.v067.i01 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18637/jss.v067.i01
Benedict, L. (2010). California towhee vocal duets are multi-functional signals for multiple receivers. Behaviour, 147(7), 953–978. https://doi.org/10.1163/000579510X491025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/000579510X498633
Benedict, L., & McEntee, J. P. (2009). Context, structural variability and distinctiveness of California towhee (Pipilo crissalis) vocal duets. Ethology, 115(1), 77–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01582.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01583.x
Bolton, M. (2007). Playback experiments indicate absence of vocal recognition among temporally and geographically separated populations of Madeiran storm-petrels Oceanodroma castro. Ibis, 149(2), 255–263. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2007.00637.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2006.00624.x
Brown, J. L. (1963). Social organization and behavior of the Mexican Jay. Condor, 65(2), 126–153. https://doi.org/10.2307/1365380 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1365491
Brumm, H., & Slater, P. (2007). Animal communication: Timing counts. Current Biology, 17(13), R521–R523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.05.021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.04.053
Cuthbert, J. L., & Mennill, D. J. (2007). The duetting behaviour of Pacific coast plain wrens (Thryothorus modestus modestus). Condor, 109(3), 686–692. https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/109.3.686 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/109.3.686
Dahlin, C. R., & Benedict, L. (2014). Angry birds need not apply: A perspective on the flexible form and multifunctionality of avian vocal duets. Ethology, 120(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12182 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12182
Duca, C., & Marini, M. Â. (2014). Territorial system and adult dispersal in a cooperative breeding tanager. Auk, 131(1), 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1642/AUK-13-122.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1642/AUK-13-005.1
Farabaugh, S. M. (1982). The ecological and social significance of duetting. In D. E. Kroodsma & E. H. Miller (Eds.), Acoustic communication in birds (Vol. 2, pp. 85–124). Academic Press.
Fox, J., & Weisberg, S. (2019). An R companion to applied regression (3rd ed.). Sage.
Geberzahn, N., Goymann, W., Muck, C., & ten Cate, C. (2009). Females alter their song when challenged in a sex-role reversed bird species. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 64(2), 193–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-009-0836-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-009-0836-0
Grether, G. F. (2011). The neuroecology of competitor recognition. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 51(4), 807–818. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icr017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icr060
Hall, M. L. (2004). A review of hypotheses for the functions of avian duetting. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 55(5), 415–430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-003-0741-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-003-0741-x
Hall, M. L. (2009). A review of vocal duetting in birds. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 40, 67–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-3454(09)40003-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-3454(09)40003-2
Hall, M. L., & Magrath, R. D. (2007). Temporal coordination signals coalition quality. Current Biology, 17(10), R406–R407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.04.022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.04.022
Hall, M. L., & Peters, A. (2008). Coordination between the sexes for territorial defence in a duetting fairy-wren. Animal Behaviour, 76(1), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.01.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.01.010
Hamzaj, T., Graham, B., Bonilla-Badilla, K., Gutiérrez, I., & Sandoval, L. (2022). Intruder familiarity and not duet similarity influences the territory defense in a year-round territorial bird species. Avian Research, 13, 100032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avrs.2022.100032 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avrs.2022.100032
Holland, A. E., Byrne, M. E., Bryan, A. L., DeVault, T. L., Rhodes, O. E., & Beasley, J. C. (2017). Fine-scale assessment of home ranges and activity patterns for resident black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vultures (Cathartes aura). PLOS ONE, 12(6), e0179819. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179819 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179819
Juárez, R., Chacón-Madrigal, E., & Sandoval, L. (2020). Urbanization has opposite effects on the territory size of two passerine birds. Avian Research, 11, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-020-00202-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-020-00198-6
Koloff, J., & Mennill, D. J. (2013). Vocal behaviour of barred antshrikes, a Neotropical duetting suboscine songbird. Journal of Ornithology, 154(1), 51–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-012-0870-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-012-0867-6
Kovach, K. A., Hall, M. L., Vehrencamp, S. L., & Mennill, D. J. (2014). Timing isn't everything: Responses of tropical wrens to coordinated duets, uncoordinated duets and alternating solos. Animal Behaviour, 95, 101–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.06.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.06.012
Levin, R. N., Paris, T. I., & Bester, J. K. (1996). Social versus innate influences on the development of sex-specific song in a tropical duetting wren. American Zoologist, 36(5), 92A.
Logue, D. M., & Gammon, D. E. (2004). Duet song and sex roles during territory defence in a tropical bird, the black-bellied wren, Thryothorus fasciatoventris. Animal Behaviour, 68(4), 721–731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.12.022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.10.026
Logue, D. M., Chalmers, C., & Gowland, A. H. (2008). The behavioural mechanisms underlying temporal coordination in black-bellied wren duets. Animal Behaviour, 75(5), 1803–1808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2007.10.032 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2007.10.036
López-Sepulcre, A., & Kokko, H. (2005). Territorial defense, territory size, and population regulation. American Naturalist, 166(3), 317–329. https://doi.org/10.1086/432560 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/432560
Mann, N. I., Dingess, K. A., & Slater, P. J. B. (2006). Antiphonal four-part synchronized chorusing in a Neotropical wren. Biology Letters, 2(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2005.0373 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2005.0373
Martin, P. R., & Martin, T. E. (2001). Behavioral interactions between coexisting species: Song playback experiments with wood warblers. Ecology, 82(1), 207–218. https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2001)082[0207:BIBCSA]2.0.CO;2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2001)082[0207:BIBCSS]2.0.CO;2
Méndez, C., & Sandoval, L. (2017). Dual function of chip calls depending on changing call rate related to risk level in territorial pairs of White-eared Ground-sparrow. Ethology, 123(3), 188–196. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12581 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12584
Méndez, C., & Sandoval, L. (2021). Frequency and synchronization features of a highly overlapped duets change according to the context. Bioacoustics, 30(1), 17–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2019.1694501 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2019.1682672
Mennill, D. J., & Vehrencamp, S. L. (2005). Sex differences in the singing and duetting behavior of neotropical Rufous-and-white Wrens (Thryothorus rufalbus). Auk, 122(1), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/122.1.175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/122.1.175
Nice, M. M. (1941). The role of territory in bird life. American Midland Naturalist, 26(3), 441–487. https://doi.org/10.2307/2421040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2420732
Ord, J. T., King, L., & Young, A. R. (2011). Contrasting theory with the empirical data of species recognition. Evolution, 65(9), 2572–2591. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01319.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01319.x
Podos, J. (2001). Correlated evolution of morphology and vocal signal structure in Darwin’s finches. Nature, 409(6817), 185–188. https://doi.org/10.1038/35051570 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/35051570
Qvarnström, A., Haavie, J., Sæther, S. A., Eriksson, D., & Pärt, T. (2006). Song similarity predicts hybridization in flycatchers. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 19(4), 1202–1209. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01088.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2006.01140.x
Ręk, P., & Magrath, R. D. (2022). Display structure size affects the production of and response to multimodal duets in magpie-larks. Animal Behaviour, 187, 137–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.01.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.03.005
Ripmeester, E. A., Mulder, M., & Slabbekoorn, H. (2010). Habitat-dependent acoustic divergence affects playback response in urban and forest populations of the European blackbird. Behavioral Ecology, 21(5), 876–883. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arq074 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arq075
Rivera-Cáceres, K. D. (2015). Plain wrens Cantorchilus modestus zeledoni adjust their singing tempo based on self and partner’s cues to perform precisely coordinated duets. Journal of Avian Biology, 46(5), 001–008. https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.00570 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.00575
Rivera-Cáceres, K. D., Quirós-Guerrero, E., Araya-Salas, M., & Searcy, W. A. (2016). Neotropical wrens learn new duet rules as adults. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 283(1838), 20161819. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.1819 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.1819
Sandoval, L., Bitton, P.-P., Doucet, S. M., & Mennill, D. J. (2014). Analysis of plumage, morphology, and voice reveal species-level differences between Prevost’s Ground-sparrow subspecies. Zootaxa, 3895(1), 103–116. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3895.1.7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3895.1.6
Sandoval, L., Graham, B., Sosa-López, J. R., Laverde-R, O., & Araya-Ajoy, Y. G. (2024). The study of bird vocalizations in Neotropical habitats: Current knowledge and future steps. Ornitología Neotropical, 35, 112–129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58843/ornneo.v35i2.693
Sandoval, L., Juárez, R., & Villarreal, M. (2018). Different messages are transmitted by individual duet contributions and complete duets in a species with highly overlapped duets. Open Ornithological Journal, 11, 56–67. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201811010056 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1874453201811010056
Sandoval, L., Méndez, C., & Mennill, D. J. (2013). Different vocal signals, but not prior experience, influence heterospecific from conspecific discrimination. Animal Behaviour, 85(4), 907–915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.01.017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.02.006
Sandoval, L., Méndez, C., & Mennill, D. J. (2016). Vocal behaviour of White-eared Ground-sparrows (Melozone leucotis) during the breeding season: Repertoires, diel variation, behavioural contexts, and individual distinctiveness. Journal of Ornithology, 157(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-015-1232-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-015-1237-y
Sandoval, L., & Mennill, D. J. (2012). Breeding biology of White-eared Ground-sparrow (Melozone leucotis), with a description of a new nest type. Ornitología Neotropical, 23, 225–234.
Sandoval, L., & Mennill, D. J. (2014). A quantitative description of the vocalizations and vocal behaviour of Rusty-crowned Ground-sparrow (Melozone kieneri). Ornitología Neotropical, 25, 219–230.
Sonnenschein, E., & Reyer, H. U. (1983). Mate-guarding and other functions of antiphonal duets in the Slate-coloured Boubou (Laniarius funebris). Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie, 63(2), 112–140. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1983.tb00599.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.1983.tb00083.x
Sosa-López, J. R., Martinez Gomez, J., & Mennill, D. J. (2016). Divergence in mating signals correlates with genetic distance and behavioural responses to playback. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 29(2), 306–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.12786 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.12782
Stamps, J. A., & Buechner, M. (1985). The territorial defense hypothesis and the ecology of insular vertebrates. Quarterly Review of Biology, 60(2), 155–181. https://doi.org/10.1086/414425 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/414314
Thorpe, W. H. (1972). Duetting and antiphonal song in birds: Its extent and significance (Vol. 18). Brill. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004629233
Thorpe, W. H., & North, M. E. (1965). Origin and significance of the power of vocal imitation: With special reference to the antiphonal singing of birds. Nature, 208(5009), 219–222. https://doi.org/10.1038/208219a0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/208219a0
Todt, D., & Fiebelkorn, A. (1980). Display, timing and function of wing movements accompanying antiphonal duets of Cichladusa guttata. Behaviour, 72(1–2), 82–105. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853980X00256 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/156853980X00069
Trainer, J. M., McDonald, D. B., & Learn, W. A. (2002). The development of coordinated singing in cooperatively displaying long-tailed manakins. Behavioral Ecology, 13(1), 65–69. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/13.1.65 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/13.1.65
Trejos-Araya, C., & Barrantes, G. (2014). Natural history and acoustic repertoire of the Large-footed Finch (Pezopetes capitalis), an endemic, highland bird of Costa Rica and western Panama. Ornitología Neotropical, 25, 261–271.
Trejos-Araya, C., & Barrantes, G. (2018). Description of the acoustical interaction and synchronization between duetters of the Large-footed Finch (Pezopetes capitalis). Bioacoustics, 27(2), 183–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2017.1303817 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2017.1303792
Volodin, I. A., Volodina, E. V., Klenova, A. V., & Matrosova, V. A. (2015). Gender identification using acoustic analysis in birds without external sexual dimorphism. Avian Research, 6, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-015-0015-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-015-0033-y
Woltmann, S., & Sherry, T. W. (2011). High apparent annual survival and stable territory dynamics of Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul) in a large Costa Rican rain forest preserve. Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 123(1), 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1676/10-069.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1676/10-017.1
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Revista de Biología Tropical
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0)
Attribution (BY) • (BY) You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).
