AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Differential calls by Carrion and Hooded Crows (Corvus corone corone and C. c. cornix) in the Alpine hybrid zone

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1996
Authors:Palestrini, C, Rolando, A
Journal:Bird Study
Volume:43
Date Published:1996
ISBN Number:0006-3657
Keywords:Corone, Corone cornix, Corone corone, Corvidae, Corvus, Corvus cornix, Corvus corone, Corvus corone cornix, Corvus corone corone
Abstract:Spectrograms of calls given by Carrion and Hooded Crows in the Italian Alpine hybrid zone have been tested for differences between the two subspecies by univariate and multivariate techniques. Vocalizations of the two Crows are similar and composed of 2?15 caws, each usually made up of two harmonics, separated by short intervals. However, one-way ANOVA and discriminant analysis showed that they were differentiated with respect both to temporal and frequency parameters. We suggest that differences in vocalizations reflect mostly the phylogenetic divergence between Hooded and Carrion Crows. The results are in keeping with previous ecological, morphological and molecular data and would confirm that the present designation of the two Crows as distinct subspecies is correct. Differences in vocalizations, together with others regarding ecology and behaviour, may result in assortative mating and homotypic flocking and, therefore, may contribute to reinforcement of the reproductive isolation between the Carrion and the Hooded Crow in the Alpine hybrid zone.Spectrograms of calls given by Carrion and Hooded Crows in the Italian Alpine hybrid zone have been tested for differences between the two subspecies by univariate and multivariate techniques. Vocalizations of the two Crows are similar and composed of 2?15 caws, each usually made up of two harmonics, separated by short intervals. However, one-way ANOVA and discriminant analysis showed that they were differentiated with respect both to temporal and frequency parameters. We suggest that differences in vocalizations reflect mostly the phylogenetic divergence between Hooded and Carrion Crows. The results are in keeping with previous ecological, morphological and molecular data and would confirm that the present designation of the two Crows as distinct subspecies is correct. Differences in vocalizations, together with others regarding ecology and behaviour, may result in assortative mating and homotypic flocking and, therefore, may contribute to reinforcement of the reproductive isolation between the Carrion and the Hooded Crow in the Alpine hybrid zone.
URL:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00063659609461030
Taxonomic name: 
Corvidae (Birds), Corvus (Birds), Corvus cornix (Birds), Corvus Cornix (Birds), Corvus corone (Birds), Corvus Corone (Birds)
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith