Acoustic communication of passerine birds of Anaikatty hills with special emphasis on Common Iora Aegithina tiphia

Abstract

Bird acoustic communication is intended for species identification between groups (interspecific communication) and for individual identity within a group (intraspecific communication (Simmons, 2002). Bird vocal signals comprise a mixture of tones (harmonic sounds) such as chirps, clicks, less harmonic mumbles, wheezy chats, rattles and buzzy noises. Male birds use complex songs for territorial establishment and maintenance (Catchpole & Slater, 2008; Bhatt et al., 2000; Marler, 2004); and mate attraction (Marler, 2004). Songs have various other functions, for; (i) distracting potential predators (Ritchison, 1991); (ii) informing the mates about the threat (Kermott, & Johnson, 1991); and (iii) coordinating nest exchanges between mates