Fighting talk: complex song elicits more aggressive responses in a vocally complex songbird

摘要: Song complexity in many songbirds is a trait subject to sexual selection. It often associated with male territorial defence. Empirical studies testing differential responses rival song vocally complex have, however, been scarce. We conducted playback experiments of the endemic New Zealand Tui Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae test aggressive response songs differing levels. Overall, evoked significantly stronger from males than simple songs. Following songs, focal approached more closely and rapidly, responded higher This suggests could both distinguish between different levels within repertoire, perceive as greater threat. Our study one first demonstrate strong increased songbird species highly vocalisations. This article protected by copyright. All rights reserved.