Auditory sensitivity of two strains of the common canary (Serinus canarius)

Abstract

Adult canaries from two strains of canaries (Belgian Waterslager and German Roller) were trained with operant conditioning techniques for audiometric testing. Absolute thresholds for canaries from the German Roller strain were similar to those previously reported for other small birds including canaries. At frequencies above 2.0 kHz, absolute thresholds for canaries from the Belgian Waterslager strain were 30–50 dB higher than those of German Roller canaries. The spectral distribution of energy in the calls of the two species parallels the species differences in absolute thresholds. Absolute thresholds of F 1 hybrids of a male Belgian Waterslager and a female German Roller canary also show elevated high-frequency thresholds. These findings suggest that strain differences in auditory thresholds in the canary may have a genetic basis. The results are discussed in relation to selective breeding and song learning in domestic canaries. [Work supported by NIH.]