Directionality of the Drumming Display of the Ruffed Grouse

The condor

Maxime Garcia¹ 

关键词: acoustic directionality;    grouse;    communication;    courtship;   

DOI  :  10.1525/cond.2012.110158

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

Abstract. Directionality is a key feature of vocalizations in birds and can provide insight into vocalizations° function and propagation. Despite recent interest in birds' production of nonvocal acoustic signals, little is known about the directionality of these sounds. Here, we examine the directionality of the drumming display of male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus), a nonvocal acoustic signal used in mate attraction and territorial defense. We recorded drumming males with a low-frequency microphone and measured sound-pressure levels with a sound-level meter from three orientations: front (0°), behind (180°), and side (90°). The sound-pressure level was significantly higher in front of and behind a drumming male than on the sides, indicating that the drumming sound radiates primarily along the displaying bird's longitudinal axis. Spectral analyses of the recordings did not, however, yield consistent differences in frequency among the three orientations. The acoustic radiation pattern of the drumming dis...

【 授权许可】

CC BY