Vocal Interactions in Birds: The Use of Song as a Model in Communication

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses on how birds respond to each other and the proximate and ultimate consequences of different singing strategies during an interaction. The chapter discusses the results on the forms and functions of vocal interactions in territorial songbirds. Vocal interactions can be analyzed best on the basis of a dialogue model in which two components are crucial to characterize and interpret the process: (1) the timing of signals in relation to conspecifics' signals and (2) the use of specific song patterns when replying to another singer. Both the timing of songs and the pattern-specific responses can result in highly complex and dynamic singing interactions. The chapter deals with these interactions by describing and evaluating the rules of song control and retrieval, as well as the relationships of the signals of interacting individuals to each other. For assessing the function of signals during an interaction, the signaling context is also considered. The context is often crucial for the information conveyed and for the functional and evolutionary significance of specific singing strategies. The long-range vocal interactions are also discussed in which singers do not approach each other but respond to each other vocally.