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Song matching and song overlapping have been suggested as aggressive signals between male songbirds in previous studies. However, few studies have examined the relation between matching and overlapping. To see if there is any relative function between the two signals in songbirds, first, we evaluated the function of song type matching and song overlapping in black-necklaced scimitar-babbler. Secondly, we combined song type matching and song overlapping together to exam is there any interaction between them. Lastly, we tested that is song overlapping a second graded signal to escalate aggressive intention in black-necklaced scimitar-babbler. Black-necklaced scimitar-babbler, which has strong reaction to intruders and suitable size of repertoire was chosen as our subject. Treatments were conducted by using interactive playback to record their singing and behavioural responses. Field experiment was conducted during breeding seasons in 2010 to 2011 at Wulai, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Interactive songs we used were collected in Hsinchu, Yunlin and Chiayi.
Results/Conclusions
The results showed that males stay longer in 10 meters distant from speaker in post-playback period (p=0.06) and variation of males’ song length and interval length were higher (p=0.016) in song-type matching trials than in control trials. Number of songs, number of song type switching, number of song types and variation of song length were higher in trials which overlapping was added in the later part of matching contests than in matching trials (p=0.017). According to results, we conclude that in song contests of male black-necklaced scimitar babbler, song-type matching may serve as an aggressive signal. Overlapping may serve as the second aggressive signal in contest to escalate aggressive intention if necessary.
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