Analysis of the Social / Alarm Call of the Red Siskin
File(s)
Date
1997-05Author
Griesbach Cahow, Mary
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The Venezuelan black-hooded red siskin (Carduelis cucullata) is an endangered
species of finch from South America. Efforts currently are underway in the United States
to help this species increase in number through a captive-breeding program. Studies to
analyze possible differences in siskin vocal communication and their potential
consequences will help identify obstacles to overcome in both captive breeding and
reintroduction efforts.
Vocalizations of captive-bred red siskins held at the Milwaukee County Zoo, a
private facility in Mendota, Illinois, and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point were
recorded during the siskin breeding seasons of 1992 and 1993. Social / alarm calls of 15
red siskins ( 5 males and 10 females) were documented and described and then edited and
analyzed. All recordings were analyzed using the Macintosh computer program Canary
1.1™; and 4 frequency and temporal measurements from 564 call sonagrams were
measured and compared to determine statistically significant differences within and
between individuals.
Although call variation between individuals, sexes and flocks was difficult to
discern aurally, descriptive and statistical analyses revealed significant differences in some
features within and between these groups. Data from this study revealed that some
captive-bred red siskins can be identified individually by their social / alarm call
sonagrams, and qualitative analyses of sonagrams accurately identified 47% of the birds
recorded. Inter-individual variation was greater than intra-individual variation (P<0.001)
for all 4 parameters. Females had a significantly greater change in frequency than males
(P=0.013). Significant differences for mean frequency (P=0.016) existed between 2 of the
3 flocks. There were significant differences in all 4 parameters for one male bird while at
2 different locations (P<0.001 ), which may reflect the ability of cardueline species to
modify their contact calls throughout their lives.