Is syntax a signal of aggression in hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) song?

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dc.contributor.advisorRoach, Sean
dc.contributor.authorNesbitt, Morgan Elizabeth
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-01T16:20:15Z
dc.date.available2023-03-01T16:20:15Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.date.updated2022-04-20T00:00:00Z
dc.description.abstractSyntax, which classifies the order song types must follow within a bird's song to convey functional meaning, is thought to play a role in songbird communication. Vocal cues are crucial to male-male interactions and certain species have been shown to alter their songs in response to territorial intruders (Hedley, Denton, & Weiss, 2017). The current study focuses on the use of syntax in aggressive contexts in the hermit thrush, a migratory songbird common to North America. Using playback sessions, this research evaluated the importance of species-typical syntax in conveying aggression in territorial disputes between two males. It was expected that the hermit thrush would react more strongly to songs which contained species-typical syntax than those which did not, however there was no difference in aggressive reactions between the two stimuli. These findings suggest that the hermit thrush may use syntax for other evolutionarily relevant behaviours, such as mate attraction. Vocal responses, including song overlapping and frequency matching, were also assessed and were both found to occur at below chance levels, indicating that birds actively avoided these behaviours during playback. Based on past research, it could be possible that birds are altering their songs to avoid acoustic interference, thus maximizing their signal transmission efficiency. Keywords: aggression, male-male interactions, hermit thrush, playback
dc.description.copyright© Morgan Nesbitt, 2021
dc.formattext/xml
dc.format.extentvii, 73 pages
dc.format.mediumelectronic
dc.identifier.oclc(OCoLC)1339092058en
dc.identifier.otherThesis 10766en
dc.identifier.urihttps://unbscholar.lib.unb.ca/handle/1882/13557
dc.language.isoen_CA
dc.publisherUniversity of New Brunswick
dc.rightshttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
dc.subject.disciplinePsychology
dc.subject.lcshAggressive behavior in animals--North America.en
dc.subject.lcshHermit thrush--North America.en
dc.subject.lcshBirdsongs--North America--Syntax.en
dc.subject.lcshNorth America.en
dc.titleIs syntax a signal of aggression in hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) song?
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology
thesis.degree.fullnameMaster of Arts
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of New Brunswick
thesis.degree.levelmasters
thesis.degree.nameM.A.

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