We analyzed the structure and variation of the songs of the Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler (Cettia fortipes), a species common in southeastern Asia, including southwestern China, site of our study. During the breeding season of 2009, we investigated the possibility of distinguishing individuals by song. Most Brownish-flanked Bush Warblers we studied had a unique song repertoire composed predominantly of two song types. Whether singing spontaneously or in response to playback, the birds deliver the two types alternately. We defined type alpha as a song consisting of two notes, type beta as a song consisting of three notes. Both song types varied from individual to individual. Discriminant analysis revealed that the songs of individual Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler songs were distinct; rates of correct classification were 98% for the alpha song and 99% for the beta song.
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1 August 2010
Individual Variation in Brownish-Flanked Bush Warbler Songs
Canwei Xia,
Hua Xiao,
Yanyun Zhang
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The Condor
Vol. 112 • No. 3
August 2010
Vol. 112 • No. 3
August 2010