AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

The vocal development of the Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2007
Authors:Klenova, AV, Volodin, IA, Volodina, EV
Journal:Ornithological Science
Volume:6
Issue:2
Date Published:2007
ISBN Number:1347-0558
Keywords:Corvidae, Corvus, Corvus corone, Gruidae, Grus, Grus grus, Grus japonensis
Abstract:ABSTRACT Most studies on avian vocal ontogenesis have focused on taxa exhibiting some kind of vocal learning. This study provides a detailed analysis of vocal processes through early and late ontogenesis in 17 chicks of the Red crowned Crane Grus japonensis, a species lacking vocal learning. Three basic structural classes: trills, PE-chirps and PS-chirps and their transitional forms are described. Trends in call parameter values are presented for 10 age classes in the course of a period from birth to 9.5 months. We discuss our vocal classification with those reported for other crane species, relate the revealed stages of vocal ontogenesis in the Red-crowned Crane to biologically relevant life stages in this species and advance a hypothesis for the proposed function of retaining high juvenile frequencies in adolescent cranes for a prolonged period, up to voice breaking (a rapid significant decrease in fundamental frequency). We conclude, that voice breaking is universal for both sexes and that the retained high call frequencies may represent an infantile characteristic, essential in evoking care from the parents towards the growing chick and may also act as a mechanism to reduce aggression from conspecifics.ABSTRACT Most studies on avian vocal ontogenesis have focused on taxa exhibiting some kind of vocal learning. This study provides a detailed analysis of vocal processes through early and late ontogenesis in 17 chicks of the Red crowned Crane Grus japonensis, a species lacking vocal learning. Three basic structural classes: trills, PE-chirps and PS-chirps and their transitional forms are described. Trends in call parameter values are presented for 10 age classes in the course of a period from birth to 9.5 months. We discuss our vocal classification with those reported for other crane species, relate the revealed stages of vocal ontogenesis in the Red-crowned Crane to biologically relevant life stages in this species and advance a hypothesis for the proposed function of retaining high juvenile frequencies in adolescent cranes for a prolonged period, up to voice breaking (a rapid significant decrease in fundamental frequency). We conclude, that voice breaking is universal for both sexes and that the retained high call frequencies may represent an infantile characteristic, essential in evoking care from the parents towards the growing chick and may also act as a mechanism to reduce aggression from conspecifics.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.2326/1347-0558(2007)6[107:TVDOTR]2.0.CO;2
Short Title:Ornithological Science
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith