Complex vocal signaling in social birds

old_uid14240
titleComplex vocal signaling in social birds
start_date2014/06/24
schedule12h-13h30
onlineno
location_infoamphi PSL
detailsInvitant: Philippe Schlenker (IJN)
summarySongbirds produce complex vocal signals that serve a variety of purposes. Avian signals function to attract mates, mediate aggressive interactions, locate food, and avoid predators, among other things. In this talk, I will discuss some of my recent research on two species that possess some of the most sophisticated vocal signals. I will first describe how chickadees and tits (Paridae) encode information about predators in acoustic variations of their mobbing alarm calls and how other individuals and other species use these alarm call variants to avoid predators. I will then describe the remarkable duet and chorus songs of neotropical wrens, including the function, rules of organization, and mechanisms for coordinating these multi-part songs. Together, these systems suggest that birds are capable of sophisticated vocal signaling, which could provide useful insights into their cognitive abilities and the evolution of language.
responsiblesSackur