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Visual and Acoustic Communication in Neotropical Birds: Diversity and Evolution of Signals

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Behavioral Ecology of Neotropical Birds

Abstract

Animal communication is a key feature of intra- and inter-specific interactions in nature. Vocalizations and plumage coloration are two of the most exploited signaling pathways among birds and they have an important role in sexual selection and reproductive isolation. The evolution of vocal and visual signals and their efficiency to confer information are influenced by many factors, such as the signaler’s morphology, the environment in which these are transmitted, or the sensitivity of either intended or unintended receivers like potential predators. In this chapter we review the diversity of visual and vocal signals among Neotropical birds which have been less studied than their counterparts from other biogeographic realms. The particularities they may present are not “exceptions,” but opportunities to gain a better understanding of avian communication and the factors influencing its evolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División Ornitología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” – CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Ana S. Barreira

  2. Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Natalia C. García

Authors
  1. Ana S. Barreira
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  2. Natalia C. García
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Correspondence to Ana S. Barreira .

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  1. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Juan Carlos Reboreda

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Vanina Dafne Fiorini

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Diego Tomás Tuero

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Barreira, A.S., García, N.C. (2019). Visual and Acoustic Communication in Neotropical Birds: Diversity and Evolution of Signals. In: Reboreda, J., Fiorini, V., Tuero, D. (eds) Behavioral Ecology of Neotropical Birds. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14280-3_8

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