Skip to main content

Syringeal Structure and Avian Phonation

  • Chapter
Current Ornithology

Part of the book series: Current Ornithology ((CUOR,volume 2))

Abstract

Studies of syringeal function have historically been hampered by two difficulties, one technical and one perceptual. The technical difficulty is that because the syrinx is at the base of a long trachea and because its functioning is distorted if the surrounding interclavicular airsac is ruptured, direct observation of natural syringeal function has so far proved impossible. Hence, all analyses of syringeal function are based on indirect evidence. Such evidence may be obtained from dissections, manipulations of extracted syrinxes, models, analyses of physiological events associated with phonation, or analyses of the sounds produced.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abs, M., 1970, Uber Hormonwirkungen auf Lautäusserungen von Haustauben, J. Ornithol. 111:227–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abs, M., 1980, Zur Bioakustik des Stimmbruchs bei Vogeln, ZooJ. Jb. Physiol.84:289–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ames, P. L., 1971, The morphology of the syrinx in passerine birds, Peabody Mus. Nat. His. Bull. 37:1–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, E. D., Baker, J. A., 1982, Recognition characteristics in covey dialects of Bobwhite Quail, Condor 84:317–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beddard, F. E., 1898, The Structure and Classification of Birds, Longmans, Green & Co., New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Beebe, [C] W., 1925, The Variegated Tinamou, Crypturus variegatus variegatus(Gmelin), Zoologica6:195–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, M., Hart, J. S., 1968, Ein Beitrag zum Zusammenhang zwischen Stimme und Atmung bei Vögeln, J. Ornithol. 109:421–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borror, D. J., Reese, C. R., 1956, Vocal gymnastics in Wood Thrush songs, Ohio J. Sci. 56:177–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brackenbury, J. H., 1977, Physiological energetics of cock-crow, Nature 270:433–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brackenbury, J. H., 1978a, Respiratory mechanics of sound production in chickens and geese, J. Exp. Biol. 72:229–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brackenbury, J. H., 1978b, A comparison of the origin and temporal arrangement of pulsed sounds in the songs of the Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers, Locustella naeviaand Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, J. Zool. Lond. 184:187–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brackenbury, J. H., 1978c, A possible relationship between respiratory movements, syringeal movements, and the production of song by Skylarks Alauda arvensis, Ibis, 120:526–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brackenbury, J. H., 1979a, Power capabilities of the avian sound-producing system, J. Exp. Biol. 78:163–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brackenbury, J. H., 1979b, Aeroacoustics of the vocal organ of birds, J. Theor. Biol. 81:341–349.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brackenbury, J. H., 1982, The structural basis of voice production and its relationship to sound characteristics, in: Acoustic Communication in Birds, Volume 1, ( D. E. Kroodsma, E. H. Miller, eds), Academic Press, New York, pp.53–73.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brockway, B. F., 1967, The influence of vocal behavior on the performer’s testicular activity in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Wilson Bull. 79:328–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calder, W. A., 1970, Respiration during song in the Canary (Serinius canaria), Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 32:251–258.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casey, R. M., 1981, Theoretical analysis of tympanic membranes in avian syrinx, M. Sc. Dissertation, The Ohio State University, Columbus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chamberlain, D. R., Gross, W. B., Cornwell, G. W., and Mosby, H. S., 1968, Syringeal anatomy in the Common Crow, Auk 85:244–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chanaud, R. C., 1970, Aerodynamic whistles, Sci. Am. 222 (1):40–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncker, H.-R., 1971, The Lung Air Sac System of Birds: A Contribution to the Functional Anatomy of the Respiratory Apparatus, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Dürrwang, R. F., 1974, Functionelle Biologie, Anatomie und Physiologie der Vogel-stimme, Ph. D. Dissertation, University Basil, Basil, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emlen, S. T., 1972, An experimental analysis of the parameters of bird song soliciting species recognition, Behavior 41:130–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., 1983a, An hypothesis concerning the relationship of syringeal structure to vocal abilities, Auk 100:853–862.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., 1983b, On sonograms, harmonics, and assumptions, Condor 85:259–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., Gaunt, S. L. L., 1977, Mechanics of the syrinx in Gall us gallus II. Electromyographic studies of ad libitumvocalizations, J. MorphoJ. 152:1–19.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., Gaunt, S. L. L., 1982, Electromyography of the syringeal muscles in parrots, Am. ZooJ. 22:918.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., Wells, M. K., 1973, Models of syringeal mechanisms, Am. Zool. 13:1227–1247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., Gaunt, S. L. L., Casey, R. M., 1982, Syringeal mechanics reassessed: Evidence from Streptopelia, Auk 99:474–494.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., Gaunt, S. L. L., Hector, D. H., 1976, Mechanics of the syrinx in Gallus gallus. l. A comparison of pressure events in chickens to those in oscines, Condor 73:208–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaunt, A. S., Stein, R. C., Gaunt, S. L. L., 1973, Pressure and air flow during distress calls of the Starling, Sturnus vulgaris(Aves: Passeriformes), J. Exp. Zool. 183:241–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, G., Vandenbergh, J. G., 1968, Ontogeny of vocalization in duck and chick embryos, J. Exp. Zool. 168:307 –326.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenewalt, C. H., 1968, Bird Song: Acoustics and Physiology. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, W. B., 1964a, Voice production by the chicken, Poult. Sci. 43:1005–1008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, W. G., 1964b, Devoicing the chicken, Poult. Sci. 43:1143–1144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, W. B., 1979, An operation for reducing the vocal intensity of peafowl, Avian Dis. 23:1031–1036.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herissant, [F.-D.], 1753, Recherches sur les organes de voix des quadrupédes et de celle des oiseaux, Acad. Roy. Sci. Mem. (Paris), pp. 279–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hersh, G. L., 1966, Bird voices and resonant tuning in helium-air mixtures, PH. D. Dissertation, University of California, Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, M. L., Jr., 1980. Vocalization during inhalation in a nightjar, Condor 82:101–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klatt, D. H., Stefanski, R. A., 1974, How does a mynah bird imitate human speech? J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 55:822–832.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kroodsma, D. E., Miller, E. H., 1982, Introduction, in: Acoustic Communication in Birds, Volume 1, Production, Perception and Design Features of Sound( D. E. Kroodsma, E. H. Miller eds), Academic Press, New York, pp. xxi–xxxi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, P., 1975, On the Origins of Language: An Introduction to the Evolution of Human Speech, Macmillan, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockner, F. R., Murrish, D. E., 1975, Interclavicular air sac pressures and vocalization in Mallard Ducks Anas platyrhynchos, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 52A:183–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lockner F. R., Youngren, O. M., Functional syringeal anatomy of the Mallard, I. In situ electromyograms during ESB elicited calling, Auk 93:324–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, A. H., 1934, The vocal apparatus in some North American owls, Condor 36:204–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. B., 1977, Two-voice phenomenon in birds: Further evidence, Auk 94:567–572.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, E. H., 1983, The structure of aerial displays in three species of Calidridinae (Scolopacidae), Auk 100:440–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miskimen, M., 1951, Sound production in passerine birds, Auk 68:493–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. A., 1917, Studies on the syrinx of Gallus domesticus, J. Morphol. 29:165–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nottebohm, F., 1971, Neural lateralization of vocal control in a passerine bird. 1. Song, J. Exp. Zool. 177:229–262.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nottebohm, F., 1975, Vocal behavior in birds, in: Avian Biology, Volume 5 ( D. S. Farner, J. S. King eds), Academic Press, New York, pp. 289–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nottebohm, F., 1976, Phonation in the Orange-winged Amazon Parrot, Amazona amazonica, J. Comp. Physiol. 108(A):157–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulsen, K., 1967, Das Prinzip der Stimmbildung in der Wirbeltierreihe und beim MenschenAkad. Verlag., Frankfurt am Main.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peek, F. E., Youngren, O. M., Phillips, R. E., 1975, Repetitive vocalizations evoked by electrical stimulation of avian brains. IV. Evoked and spontaneous activity in expiratory and inspiratory nerves and muscles of the chicken (Gallus gallus), Brain Behav. Evol. 12:1–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, R. E., Youngren, O. M., 1981, Effects of denervation of the tracheo-syringeal muscles on frequency control in vocalizations of chicks, Auk 98:299–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, R. E., Youngren, O. M., Peek, F. W., 1972, Repetitive vocalizations evoked by local electrical stimulation of avian brains. I. Awake chickens (Gallus gallus), Anim. Behav. 20:689–705.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Potter, R. K., Kopp, G. A., Green, H. C., 1947, Visible Speech, D. van Nostrand Co., Princeton, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossing, T. D., 1982, The Science of Sound, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rüppell, W., 1933, Physiologie und Akustik der Vogelstimme, J. Ornithol. 81:433–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. G., 1977, The role of the sternotrachealis muscles in bird song production, Auk 94:152–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, R. S., 1968, Modulation in bird sounds Auk 85:229–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland, C. A., McChesney, D. S., 1965, Sound production in two species of geese, Living Bird 4:99–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suthers, R. A., Hector, D. G., 1982, Mechanism of the production of echolocating clicks by the Grey Swiftlet, Collocalia spodiopygia, J. Comp. Physiol. 148:457–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorpe, W. H., 1961, Bird Song, Cambridge University Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • van den Berg, Jw., 1968, Sound production in isolated human larynges, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.155:18–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warner, R. W., 1969, The anatomy of the avian syrinx, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warner, R. W., 1971, The structural basis of the organ of voice in the genera Anasand Aythya(Aves)., J. Zool. 164:197–207,

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warner, R. W., 1972a, The syrinx in family Columbidae, J. Zool. 166:385–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warner, R. W., 1972b, The anatomy of the syrinx in passerine birds, J. Zool. 168:381–393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, S. S., 1968. Movement of the larynx during crowing in the domestic cock, J. Anat 103:390–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, T. A., Beavers, G. S., DeCoster, M. A., Holger, D. K., Regenfuss, M. D., 1971, Experiments on the fluid mechanics of whistling, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 50:366–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youngren, O. M., Peek, F. W., Phillips, R. E., 1974, Repetitive vocalizations evoked by local electrical stimulation of avian brains. III. Evoked activity in the tracheal muscles of the chicken (Gallus gall us). Brain Behav. Evol. 9:393–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1985 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gaunt, A.S., Gaunt, S.L.L. (1985). Syringeal Structure and Avian Phonation. In: Johnston, R.F. (eds) Current Ornithology. Current Ornithology, vol 2. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2385-3_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2385-3_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9457-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2385-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics