1st Critical Thought Experiment

Bird Communication: What is it, and how is it studied? Loma Pendergraft Before I begin, I’d like to mention that John will cover bird vocalizations on a later date. He’s going to focus on what allows birds to communicate- the anatomy of their vocal cords, their brain structure, and the stages for how young birds learn to communicate https://04varvara.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/24-may-2011-communication-without-words-nuff-said/

Why do Birds Communicate? http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-90010/Two-songbirds-a-female-and-a-male-communicate-with-one Let’s start with the basics: why do birds (or any animal really) communicate with one another? Edward Wilson defined communication as something that “occurs when the action or cue given by an organism alters the behavior of another organism in a way that increases its fitness”.

Why do Birds Communicate? Benefits both sender and receiver http://www.trca.on.ca/protect/watersheds/don-river/onthedon/archive/?id=129222 http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/cardinal/ In other words, communication- true communication- benefits both the animal sending the signal and the animal receiving the signal. This male cardinal is advertising his status as a male in control of a territory. He is sending a signal. This female hears him from a good distance away and decides to come check him out She received his signal. The two meet, she decides to stay, and they raise a nest of offspring together. Win-win for both parties.

Why do Birds Communicate? Benefits both sender and receiver Benefits outweigh the costs http://www.trca.on.ca/protect/watersheds/don-river/onthedon/archive/?id=129222 http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/outdoors/accipiters/image_37f343dd-2dc9-5e87-babe-6dbf1680cd2c.html Now communication does have costs. Signals require energy to create, and they usually make the sender more conspicuous. This same cardinal can spend hours singing. That requires a significant amount of energy, and he could have spent that time foraging for food. Additionally, that singing makes him more conspicuous to predators. But ultimately, it’s worth the risk.

What is Communicated? http://limitlesswellness.ca/say-no-to-dysfunctional-communication/ That’s why birds communicate. Let me now cover what they communicate

What is Communicated? Identity -> Who is sender? Location -> Where is sender? Context -> What is going on? The signals used in communication can carry a lot of different information. Most forms of communication include information about the sender’s identity, location, and some sort of context. When you hear someone talking, you get the same information. Let me give some examples of context

Context -> What is going on? Conflict http://www.gifbin.com/984470 A signal can include information related to conflict, such as warning another to back down, or a cry for help from family or flock.

Context -> What is going on? Conflict Territory http://mvz.berkeley.edu/DoingNaturalHistory/birdsresearch.html A signal can include information related to territoriality, such as the identifying the sender as the owner of a territory, or advertising the territory’s boundaries

Context -> What is going on? Conflict Territory Courtship http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141204-the-truth-about-swans A signal can include information about courtship, such as the sender’s desire to mate, or strengthen pair bonds

Context -> What is going on? Conflict Territory Courtship Danger http://livingwilderness.photoshelter.com/image/I00007LQBmvR0Rm0 A signal can include information about danger, such as identifying the predator type, or a call-to-arms to mob it.

Context -> What is going on? Conflict Territory Courtship Danger Resources http://www.883zy.com/two/two-feathers-photography A signal can include information about resources, such as food. Talk about honeyguide

How do Birds Communicate? https://telecomtalk.info/early-bird-communications-launch-pan-india-bio-communication-services/133241/ So we’ve covered why birds communicate, and what they can communicate. Let’s talk about how they communicate

How do Birds Communicate? Visual Signals http://petcha.com/pets/bossy-aggressive-budgieparakeet/ http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/male_peacock_tail_feathers.html http://jamesshooter.photoshelter.com/image/I0000P2jG_nER.m4 Birds often use visual signals to communicate with one another. The most famous is probably the peacock feather display, which males use in court females. The white parakeet is communicating to the yellow parakeet. The context is self-explanatory The black grouse are involved with both courtship and conflict on the lek

How do Birds Communicate? Visual Signals Audio Signals Calls Songs http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/yourbestlifenow/2013/03/do-you-hear-the-birds-sing.html Birds also vocalize and use audio signals. These vocalizations can be broken down into calls and songs

Call vs Song Call Song Short, Simple Might sound similar to other species Innate Longer, Complex Unique for each species Sometimes must be learned Remind them that John will cover this in greater detail at a later time

Examples: American Robin Call http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-robin Ground predator

Examples: American Robin Call http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-robin Aerial predator. Go back and compare ground predator with aerial predator. Both calls fit their purpose. High pitched is difficult to locate

Examples: American Robin Song http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-robin Song

Examples: Song Sparrow Call https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/id Ground predator

Examples: Song Sparrow Call https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/id Aerial predator

Examples: Song Sparrow Song https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/id song

Any Questions? Benefits of Communication Information Communicated Calls vs Song