Seasonal Patterns of Song Production by Male Stonechats Saxicola torquata

Abstract

Adult male Stonechats Saxicola torquata sang frequently while occupying exclusive breeding territories. Singing in the population started one month before nesting, when territorial disputes were most frequent, but individuals varied in their timing. Most males had a long period of singing at the start, and short periods of resurgence later in the season. The latter were timed just before re-nesting by the singer's mate, or by a neighbouring female. Within a nesting cycle, song-rates were highest before egg-laying, and declined to zero at hatching. Song was delivered from relatively high perches, and a disproportionate number were in parts of territories closest to neighbouring pairs. These results are consistent with the use of song to retain an