FIRST RECORD OF VOCAL MIMICRY IN SCARLET-HEADED BLACKBIRD Amblyramphus holosericeus (AVES: PASSERIFORMES) IN THE SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Authors

  • Guilherme Sementili-Cardoso Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Campus Bauru, Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Ornitologia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7006-7329
  • Raphael Sabongi Lúcio Marcelino Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Campus Bauru, Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Ornitologia
  • Reginaldo José Donatelli Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Campus Bauru, Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Ornitologia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5988-2226

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2019.2303.23

Keywords:

bioacoustics, dilution effect, Neotropical birds, vocal imitation, wetlands

Abstract

Vocal mimicry is the ability of some bird species to copy heterospecific vocalizations in order to establish deceptive or non-deceptive interactions between an emitter and a receiver. This kind of vocal behavior is well documented in several species of New World Blackbirds (Icteridae family), but not in Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus). Here we report the first event of vocal mimicry of this species, where a single individual imitated the vocal signals of Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani; Cuculiformes, Cuculidae). We argue that such behavior could have a deceptive role, increasing the predation avoidance and foraging efficiency of A. holosericeus by luring heterospecific individuals to form a mixed-flock.

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Published

2019-09-06

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 3 (2019): Spontaneous submissions

Section

Short communication