Geographic variation in song structure in the Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although the Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) exhibits distinctive morphological and genetic differences across its breeding range (Alvarado et al. 2014), comparatively little is known about geographic variation in song structure and whether song variation corresponds with those morphological and genetic differences. To address this, we collected recordings from throughout the species' breeding range and assessed frequency and temporal characteristics of song structure. Eastern and western birds differed dramatically with respect to song structure, most notably with respect to introductory note frequencies: eastern birds exhibited a larger range of introductory note frequencies than western birds. They also differed with respect to temporal characteristics: western birds sang longer introductory notes, but shorter post-introductory portions, than eastern birds. Numerous differences in structure were also detected within each lineage. For example, within the western lineage, introductory note fre...