The Flight Songs of Common Yellowthroats: Description and Causation

Abstract

The flight songs of Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) consist of three sections: 1) a series of short duration notes that extend over a wide range of frequencies, 2) a portion of the perch song, and 3) a complex series of notes and phrases that also extend over a wide range of frequencies. The initial and terminal sections provide information about the location of the singer while the inclusion of a portion of the perch song permits individual recognition by conspecifics. During these songs, males flew to a mean height of 5.5 m, enhancing the transmission of the vocal signal. Flight songs were uttered at similar rates throughout the breeding season, with no difference in rates before and after pairing. Most flight songs were performed when males were not interacting with conspecific males, suggesting that such songs play little or no role in territorial defense. Male yellowthroats did perform significantly more flight songs when I was present in their territories, suggesting that these songs are performed in response to the presence of potential predators. Such songs may simultaneously warn mates and direct the attention of the predator to the male.