Acoustic Features Used in Song Discrimination by the Veery

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Abstract
To investigate which song features are used for discrimination by the veery (Catharus fuscescens), we synthesized songs by computer and manipulated or deleted various features. These songs were then played to territorial males in their natural habitat. Differences in response to these stimuli indicated the relative importance of the manipulated song components. We found that certain features must be maintained in order to elicit a territorial response similar to that elicited by the natural song. These features were the frequency changes between and within syllables, the dominant higher frequency band (or voice), the intra‐syllable syntax, and the rapid repetitive amplitude and frequency modulations. Manipulations of inter‐syllable syntax independent of frequency changes between syllables, broad changes in amplitude, and the lower frequency band, did not have a significant effect on response. We thus concluded that they are not essential as cues for discrimination or species identification. Re‐recordings of songs broadcast along transects indicate that song components used in encoding species identity are those which transmit well across veery territories.