AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Song mimicry, song dialects, and behavioural context of songs in brood-parasitic Straw-tailed Whydahs, Vidua fischeri

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2003
Authors:Payne, RB, PARR, CYNTHIASIMS, Payne, LL
Journal:Ostrich
Volume:74
Issue:1-2
Date Published:2003
ISBN Number:0030-6525
Keywords:Estrildidae, Granatina, Granatina ianthinogaster, Uraeginthus, Uraeginthus ianthinogaster, Vidua, Vidua chalybeata, Vidua fischeri, Viduidae
Abstract:Straw-tailed Whydahs, Vidua fischeri, mimic the songs and calls of their host species, the Purple Grenadier, Granatina ianthinogaster, and they also have songs that do not mimic the hosts. Neighbouring male whydahs match song themes with each other, while males a few km distant have another set of song themes. Certain song themes were given associated with aggressive contexts and sexual displays (three themes in sustained chase of an intruding male, four other themes in display to a visiting female). Song matching among neighbouring male whydahs is similar to that in Village Indigobirds, V. chalybeata, and suggests that social organisation is similar in the whydahs and indigobirds. A few males have songs like those of distant males and those songs are apparent markers of dispersal. The distribution of song behaviour traits among species points to early phylogenetic origins of the elaborate song repertoires and the mimicry of songs of their host species in brood-parasitic Vidua finches.Straw-tailed Whydahs, Vidua fischeri, mimic the songs and calls of their host species, the Purple Grenadier, Granatina ianthinogaster, and they also have songs that do not mimic the hosts. Neighbouring male whydahs match song themes with each other, while males a few km distant have another set of song themes. Certain song themes were given associated with aggressive contexts and sexual displays (three themes in sustained chase of an intruding male, four other themes in display to a visiting female). Song matching among neighbouring male whydahs is similar to that in Village Indigobirds, V. chalybeata, and suggests that social organisation is similar in the whydahs and indigobirds. A few males have songs like those of distant males and those songs are apparent markers of dispersal. The distribution of song behaviour traits among species points to early phylogenetic origins of the elaborate song repertoires and the mimicry of songs of their host species in brood-parasitic Vidua finches.
URL:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/00306520309485373
Short Title:Ostrich
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith