![]() This species has been classified into seven subspecies based mainly on colouration and morphological size (Benítez-Díaz 1993). Due to the variety of factors of great importance, vocalizations could be under direct or indirect selection, driven by factors such as morphological or acoustic adaptation, creation of vocal novelties via learning or assortative mating, and the promotion of evolutionary divergence.Īcorn Woodpeckers have a high association to oak trees and their acorns. As in many species, contexts include mate attraction and inter- and intraspecies recognition. Vocalizations are not only important in woodpeckers but in all birds. They usually emit vocalizations in a suite of different situations, such as when two or more birds gather in a tree with other members of the same group, when animals from the same or other species approach close to their territories, when a predator (such as a hawk) flies over their territory, when feeding nestlings, when chasing an intruder, or while defending their granaries (MacRoberts & MacRoberts 1976). They also exhibit a variety of particular biological attributes, such as group living, construction of granaries as food storage, cooperative breeding, and low dispersal rate, suggesting that non-visual communication plays a key role in their life history. This species mainly inhabits oak and pine-oak montane forests of North and Central America, from western USA south to Colombia. This group exhibit diverse vocal repertories that are emitted under distinct behavioral contexts (e.g., MacRoberts & MacRoberts 1976, Winkler & Short 1978), and the Acorn Woodpecker ( Melanerpes formicivorus) is no exception. Woodpeckers (Family Picidae) are very conspicuous birds that inhabit almost every continent. Zazueta-Algara, J.J., Sosa-Lopez, J.R., Arizmendi M.C. ![]() ![]() Structure and divergence of vocal traits in the Acorn Woodpecker ( Melanerpes formicivorus). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |