IngentaConnect Is bird song a reliable signal of aggressive intent?

Authors: Laidre, Mark¹; Vehrencamp, Sandra²

Source: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Volume 62, Number 7, May 2008 , pp. 1207-1211(5)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

In this commentary, we discuss recent experiments on the reliability of bird song as a signal of aggressive intent during territorial conflicts. We outline relevant theoretical views on honest signaling, highlighting the vulnerability handicap hypothesis as a possible explanation for soft song's reliability in predicting attack. We also sketch possible methods of testing whether soft song agrees with key predictions of the vulnerability handicap hypothesis. Finally, we suggest possible empirical refinements that may be useful in future studies of signals of intent, both in birds and in animals broadly. In particular, we argue that future studies of intent should strive to incorporate the following elements into their experimental design: (1) multi-modal signal components, (2) interaction dynamics, and (3) minimal time intervals. Simulated exchanges using dynamically interactive models may provide a powerful means of incorporating all three of these design features simultaneously.

Keywords: Animal communication; Honest signaling; Intentions; Soft song; Vulnerability

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s00265-007-0539-3

Affiliations: 1: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA, Email: MEL23@cornell.edu 2: Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

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