A predator-elicited vocalisation in the Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti)
Emma I. Greig A D , Katherine Spendel B and Nick C. Brandley CA Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1101 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
B Biology Department, University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd., North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300, USA.
C Biology Department, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: blufinch@uchicago.edu
Emu 110(2) 165-169 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU09107
Submitted: 20 November 2009 Accepted: 12 March 2010 Published: 26 May 2010
Abstract
We document a previously undescribed vocalisation in the Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti), the Type II song, which is given in response to the calls of a specific avian predator. We used playbacks of five species of both predators and non-predators to determine which species most commonly elicit Type II songs. Calls of Grey Butcherbirds (Cracticus torquatus) were the only stimuli to elicit Type II songs. Two other species in the genus Malurus, the Splendid Fairy-wren (M. splendens) and the Superb Fairy-wren (M. cyaneus), are also known to sing Type II songs in response to the calls of specific avian predators. In all these species, Type II songs may function as displays to conspecifics. This study highlights the possibility that predator-elicited display behaviour may be more widespread in the genus Malurus than was previously recognised.
Additional keywords: alerting signals, anti-predator calls, Cracticus torquatus, display songs, Type II song.
Acknowledgements
We thank Stephen Pruett-Jones, Alex Tuchman, Carolyn Johnson, Elizabeth Scordato, Jill Mateo and three anonymous reviewers. This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation to SP-J and grants from the Hinds Fund, University of Chicago, American Ornithologists’ Union, Animal Behaviour Society and Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) National Training Fellowship to EG. Work was undertaken with approval from the University of Chicago Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUP number 71708) and the Government of South Australia Department of Environment and Heritage (Wildlife Ethics Committee approval number 21/2006, Scientific Research Permit number C25249, and animal use licence number 187).
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