The Context and Function of Duet and Solo Songs in the Red-Shouldered Blackbird

We examined the social and behavioral context of male and female duet and solo songs in Red-shouldered Blackbirds (Agelaius assimilis), formerly known as the Cuban race of the Red-winged Blackbird (A. phoeniceus). Songs were most common during intersexual interactions before birds were on breeding t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Wilson bulletin (Wilson Ornithological Society) 1997-06, Vol.109 (2), p.279-289
Main Authors: Whittingham, Linda A., Kirkconnell, Arturo, Ratcliffe, Laurene M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Animal ethology
Animal social behavior
Aves
Aviculture
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Bird nesting
Bird songs
Breeding
Female animals
Foraging
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Male animals
Mating behavior
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Red-winged blackbird
Singing
Vertebrata
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Summary:We examined the social and behavioral context of male and female duet and solo songs in Red-shouldered Blackbirds (Agelaius assimilis), formerly known as the Cuban race of the Red-winged Blackbird (A. phoeniceus). Songs were most common during intersexual interactions before birds were on breeding territories. In contrast to Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-shouldered Blackbirds sang relatively little and aggressive interactions were rare when they were on breeding territories. Our results suggest that duet and solo songs are important in pair bond formation and maintaining contact between mates.
ISSN:0043-5643
2162-5204