Song in chipping sparrows, Spizella passerina: structure and function

摘要: Abstract Bird song is thought to function in territory defence and mate attraction. This ‘dual function’ hypothesis for male chipping sparrows was tested using two approaches. Males of this species each sing a single, simple, individually distinct type. It has been hypothesized that selection should favour type structure when functions primarily territorial defence. First, responses playbacks songs neighbours strangers at the boundary subject's were compared. If defence, theory previous studies suggest males respond more strongly than neighbours. Although did respond, there no difference response neighbour stranger either before or after onset incubation. Second, pattern output examined during different stages breeding cycle. Song declined near zero pairing, but resurged dramatically lost mates. These results sparrow attraction, contrary predictions based on structure.