Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2021

Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster E36

Spjallað við spóa: using bioacoustics to understand the role of display behaviour in Icelandic whimbrels.

Höfundar / Authors: Maite Cerezo-Araujo (1, 2), Gunnar Þór Hallgrímsson (2), Böðvar Þórisson (1), José A. Alves (1,3), Tómas G. Gunnarsson (1,2))

Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. South-Iceland Research Centre. 2. University of Iceland . 3. CESAM, University of Aveiro.

Kynnir / Presenter: Maite Cerezo-Araujo

Animal sounds contain important information used in intra- and inter-species communication that may entail cues on individual’s fitness. Display calls emitted during the breeding season have traditionally been associated with two functions: repelling rivals and attracting mates. In waders, the distinction between the two relies among other factors, on the frequency at which display calls occur given local densities of the species emitting these signals. Most waders exhibit relatively elaborate displays consisting of energetically expensive aerial flights accompanied by a call, therefore indicating the behavioural strategy for communicating is honest and does not function to trick conspecifics. Here we investigate the frequency of display calls in Icelandic whimbrels across varying breeding densities in order to test which of those two functions is better supported by patterns of display behaviour. To do so, we surveyed 12 study sites located in the lowland plains of south Iceland using automatic sound recorders and field point-counts where the frequency of display calls was recorded. As predicted, displays varied across densities suggesting one function as prevalent. This first bioacoustics study on Icelandic whimbrels will shed light on the underlying strategy of this widespread wader behaviour.