Behavioral Ecology,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
30(6), P. 1734 - 1742
Published: July 24, 2019
Abstract
Learned
traits,
such
as
foraging
strategies
and
communication
signals,
can
change
over
time
via
cultural
evolution.
Using
historical
recordings,
we
investigate
the
evolution
of
birdsong
nearly
a
50-year
period.
Specifically,
examine
parts
white-crowned
sparrow
(Zonotrichia
leucophrys
nuttalli)
songs
used
for
mate
attraction
territorial
defense.
We
compared
(early
1970s)
recordings
with
contemporary
(mid-2010s)
from
populations
within
near
San
Francisco,
CA
assessed
vocal
performance
these
songs.
Because
birds
exposed
to
anthropogenic
noise
tend
sing
at
higher
minimum
frequencies
narrower
frequency
bandwidths,
potentially
reducing
one
measure
song
performance,
hypothesized
that
other
features,
syllable
complexity,
might
be
exaggerated,
an
alternative
means
display
capabilities.
found
increased
between
songs,
larger
effect
size
urban
measured
number
modulations
per
syllable,
was
historically
low
males
but
significantly
in
interpret
results
evidence
increasing
complexity
trilled
habitats,
despite
constraints
noise,
suggest
new
line
inquiry
into
how
environments
alter
time.
Integrative and Comparative Biology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
61(5), P. 1783 - 1794
Published: June 11, 2021
Urban
environments
have
some
of
the
most
highly
modified
soundscapes
on
planet,
affecting
way
many
animals
communicate
using
acoustic
signals.
Communication
involves
transmission
information
via
signals,
such
as
bird
song,
between
a
signaler
and
receiver.
Much
work
has
focused
effects
urbanization
signalers
their
yet
very
little
is
known
about
how
noise
pollution
affects
receiver
behaviors
sensory
systems.
Here,
we
synthesize
key
findings
to
date
regarding
avian
communication
in
urban
environment
delineate
gaps
knowledge
for
future
work.
We
leverage
our
own
comparing
current
historical
songs
from
rural
habitats
subspecies
white-crowned
sparrows
(Zonotrichia
leucophrys
nuttalli).
use
this
system,
along
with
other
systems,
answer
three
questions
field:
(1)
Is
song
variation
consistent
temporal
spatial
anthropogenic
noise?
(2)
How
are
birds
adjusting
environment?
(3)
does
'urbanization'
affect
signal
function?
Our
synthesis
illustrates
that
adjustments
make
noisy
can
improve
detection,
but
potentially
at
cost
function.
Many
need
be
addressed
complete
understanding
systems
evolve
areas,
specifically
regard
sexual
selection
female
preference,
well
receivers
perceive
signals
an
environment.
Urban Ecosystems,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
26(6), P. 1629 - 1637
Published: July 27, 2023
Abstract
Exponential
increases
in
anthropogenic
noise
and
light
pollution
have
accompanied
growth
of
the
built
environment.
Noise
cause
negative
consequences
for
birds,
such
as
disrupted
navigation
during
migration,
mortality
from
collisions
with
windows
other
infrastructure,
reduced
reproductive
success,
well
some
positive
consequences,
expanded
night
niches
behaviors
associated
feeding,
territoriality,
mating.
Relatively
less
is
known
about
effects
on
annual
survival
non-migratory
so
we
conducted
an
exploratory
study
to
examine
variation
adult
rates
seven
avian
species
relation
pollution.
We
used
20
years
band-resight
data
collected
a
part
Neighborhood
Nestwatch
Program
(NN),
citizen
science
project
run
by
Smithsonian
Migratory
Bird
Center,
at
242
sites
greater
Washington,
D.C.
USA.
estimated
apparent
documented
species-specific
relationships
noise.
Gray
Catbird
(
Dumetella
carolinensis
)
House
Wren
Thryothorus
aedon
decreased
American
Robin
Turdus
migratorius
increased
amounts
light.
Anthropogenic
had
no
relationship
any
species.
Life-history
trade-offs
between
reproduction
may
account
differences
Future
research
should
availability
fine
scale
environmental
conditions,
tree
canopy
cover,
that
might
buffer
exposure
Behavioral Ecology,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
30(6), P. 1734 - 1742
Published: July 24, 2019
Abstract
Learned
traits,
such
as
foraging
strategies
and
communication
signals,
can
change
over
time
via
cultural
evolution.
Using
historical
recordings,
we
investigate
the
evolution
of
birdsong
nearly
a
50-year
period.
Specifically,
examine
parts
white-crowned
sparrow
(Zonotrichia
leucophrys
nuttalli)
songs
used
for
mate
attraction
territorial
defense.
We
compared
(early
1970s)
recordings
with
contemporary
(mid-2010s)
from
populations
within
near
San
Francisco,
CA
assessed
vocal
performance
these
songs.
Because
birds
exposed
to
anthropogenic
noise
tend
sing
at
higher
minimum
frequencies
narrower
frequency
bandwidths,
potentially
reducing
one
measure
song
performance,
hypothesized
that
other
features,
syllable
complexity,
might
be
exaggerated,
an
alternative
means
display
capabilities.
found
increased
between
songs,
larger
effect
size
urban
measured
number
modulations
per
syllable,
was
historically
low
males
but
significantly
in
interpret
results
evidence
increasing
complexity
trilled
habitats,
despite
constraints
noise,
suggest
new
line
inquiry
into
how
environments
alter
time.
