Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects

The song systems of oscine passerines (songbirds) are complex and diverse. Because songs are used for both mate attraction and territory defense and are therefore important signals for survival and reproduction, comprehensive knowledge of within and among species song structure and distribution is i...

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Main Authors: Patrick M. Jagielski, Jennifer R. Foote
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2023-01-01
Series:Avian Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716623000221
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author Patrick M. Jagielski
Jennifer R. Foote
author_facet Patrick M. Jagielski
Jennifer R. Foote
author_sort Patrick M. Jagielski
collection DOAJ
description The song systems of oscine passerines (songbirds) are complex and diverse. Because songs are used for both mate attraction and territory defense and are therefore important signals for survival and reproduction, comprehensive knowledge of within and among species song structure and distribution is informative for understanding the evolution of song repertoires and vocal behaviour. In this study, we explored variation in the song structure of the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), a widespread warbler (Family Parulidae) found in North American forests. We analyzed recordings from the 2021 breeding season to assess song type variation at a local (n ​= ​158 birds; Sault Ste. Marie, ON) and breeding range scale (n ​= ​512 birds; eBird). We characterized the local song types and tested whether Ovenbirds share song types with their neighbors more often than expected by chance. We then characterized song types of Ovenbirds across the breeding range to determine whether any geographic pattern of song clustering exists (i.e., macro-dialects). We found 10 distinct song types and some evidence for song type clustering at the local study site (i.e., song neighborhoods). We found 7 of those 10 song types throughout the breeding range and identified an additional 24 types that were not recorded in our local population. We found no evidence for song dialects across the Ovenbird breeding range. This study contributes to our understanding of Ovenbird song while simultaneously adding to our understanding of geographic structuring of warbler repertoires. Our work contributes to delineating a more comprehensive understanding of factors affecting dialect development for this diverse group of songbirds.
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spelling doaj.art-15f9bb87a399424bb4af725cf067d4cf2023-04-10T04:03:47ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Avian Research2053-71662023-01-0114100096Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialectsPatrick M. Jagielski0Jennifer R. Foote1Department of Biology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, CanadaCorresponding author.; Department of Biology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, CanadaThe song systems of oscine passerines (songbirds) are complex and diverse. Because songs are used for both mate attraction and territory defense and are therefore important signals for survival and reproduction, comprehensive knowledge of within and among species song structure and distribution is informative for understanding the evolution of song repertoires and vocal behaviour. In this study, we explored variation in the song structure of the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), a widespread warbler (Family Parulidae) found in North American forests. We analyzed recordings from the 2021 breeding season to assess song type variation at a local (n ​= ​158 birds; Sault Ste. Marie, ON) and breeding range scale (n ​= ​512 birds; eBird). We characterized the local song types and tested whether Ovenbirds share song types with their neighbors more often than expected by chance. We then characterized song types of Ovenbirds across the breeding range to determine whether any geographic pattern of song clustering exists (i.e., macro-dialects). We found 10 distinct song types and some evidence for song type clustering at the local study site (i.e., song neighborhoods). We found 7 of those 10 song types throughout the breeding range and identified an additional 24 types that were not recorded in our local population. We found no evidence for song dialects across the Ovenbird breeding range. This study contributes to our understanding of Ovenbird song while simultaneously adding to our understanding of geographic structuring of warbler repertoires. Our work contributes to delineating a more comprehensive understanding of factors affecting dialect development for this diverse group of songbirds.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716623000221DialectseBirdGeographic variationOvenbirdParulidaeSeiurus aurocapilla
spellingShingle Patrick M. Jagielski
Jennifer R. Foote
Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects
Avian Research
Dialects
eBird
Geographic variation
Ovenbird
Parulidae
Seiurus aurocapilla
title Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects
title_full Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects
title_fullStr Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects
title_full_unstemmed Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects
title_short Local and range-wide distribution of song types suggest Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) have song neighborhoods but not macro-dialects
title_sort local and range wide distribution of song types suggest ovenbirds seiurus aurocapilla have song neighborhoods but not macro dialects
topic Dialects
eBird
Geographic variation
Ovenbird
Parulidae
Seiurus aurocapilla
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716623000221
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