Abstract
The complexity of bird song could serve as an indicator of male quality. Repertoire size is a widely used measure of song complexity. However, little is known about the influence of repertoire size on the song sequencing patterns. At the same time, individual variability of song sequencing and its relation to repertoire size could be important for intraspecific communication. It is unlikely for an individual to count and compare full repertoires. Instead, they are more likely to rely on patterns of song performance. I analyzed the intraspecific variability in the song sequencing and its relation to the repertoire size in the Grey-crowned Warbler (Seicercus tephrocephalus). Advertising vocalization of males with larger repertoires turned out to be more determined and predictable than of the males with smaller repertoires. This pattern might reflect different learning abilities of males with different repertoire sizes. Learning abilities, in turn, might reflect male quality and/or age. However, these patterns could not be evaluated by analyzing short song sessions and it is very unlikely for other individuals to estimate them. However, these patterns influenced the other parameters of song organisation which could be estimated from short song sessions (such as versatility and song switching rate). Thus, for other individuals the latter may serve as an indicator of a male’s repertoire size.
Zusammenfassung
Beziehungen zwischen der Repertoiregröße und der Organisation von Gesangsphasen beim Grauscheitel-Laubsänger ( Seicercus tephrocephalus )Die Komplexität von Vogelgesang könnte als Anzeiger der Qualität von Männchen dienen. Die Repertoiregröße ist ein weitverbreitetes Maß für die Gesangskomplexität. Über den Einfluss der Repertoiregröße auf die Gesangsreihenfolgemuster ist jedoch nur wenig bekannt. Gleichzeitig könnten die individuelle Variabilität der Gesangsreihenfolge und ihre Beziehung zur Repertoiregröße für die intraspezifische Kommunikation von Bedeutung sein. Es ist unwahrscheinlich, dass Individuen zählen und vollständige Repertoires vergleichen. Stattdessen ist es wahrscheinlicher, dass sie Muster der Gesangsdarbietung heranziehen. Ich habe die intraspezifische Variabilität in der Gesangsreihenfolge und ihre Beziehung zur Repertoiregröße beim Grauscheitel-Laubsänger (Seicercus tephrocephalus) analysiert. Werbegesänge von Männchen mit größeren Repertoires erwiesen sich als festgelegter und vorhersehbarer als die von Männchen mit kleineren Repertoires. Dieses Muster könnte Unterschiede im Lernvermögen zwischen Männchen mit unterschiedlichen Repertoiregrößen widerspiegeln. Das Lernvermögen könnte wiederum die Qualität und/oder das Alter der Männchen reflektieren. Diese Muster konnten jedoch nicht ausgewertet werden, wenn nur kurze Gesangsphasen analysiert wurden, und es ist unwahrscheinlich, dass andere Individuen sie einschätzen können. Diese Muster beeinflussten jedoch die anderen Parameter der Gesangsorganisation, die anhand von kurzen Gesangsphasen eingeschätzt werden konnten (z. B. Vielseitigkeit und die Rate der Gesangswechsel). Daher könnten diese Parameter anderen Individuen als Anzeiger der Repertoiregröße eines Männchen dienen.
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Acknowledgments
I am grateful to Veronika Samotskaya, Meisi Liu, Kang Zujie and Shurong Tian for their support during field study. I thank Martin Päckert for providing advice in identification of the study species and Nikita Chernetsov for editing the English and providing helpful comments. The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 11-04-01302-a).
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Communicated by M. Naguib.
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Opaev, A. Relationships between repertoire size and organization of song bouts in the Grey-crowned Warbler (Seicercus tephrocephalus). J Ornithol 157, 949–960 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-016-1342-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-016-1342-6