Consistent Individuality of Voice in Birds as a Management Tool

Abstract

Many species of bird show intraspecific vocal variation due to age, sex, geographical variation and individuality. Consistent individuality of voice may exist in most species of birds and may provide a useful tool in the study and management of species that should not be caught (e.g. rare or endangered species). Individuals of an island population of the Sacred Kingfisher Halcyon sancta were recorded over three breeding seasons to demonstrate that individuals can be recognised and censuses of individuals conducted by comparisons of sonagraph tracings. The simplicity and efficiency of this technique for use with rare species is discussed.