Categories, concepts, and calls : auditory perceptual mechanisms and cognitive abilities across different types of birds.

Although involving different animals, preparations, and objectives, our laboratories (Sturdy's and Cook's) are mutually interested in category perception and concept formation. The Sturdy laboratory has a history of studying perceptual categories in songbirds, while Cook laboratory has a history of studying abstract concept formation in pigeons. Recently, we undertook a suite of collaborative projects to combine our investigations to examine abstract concept formation in songbirds, and perception of songbird vocalizations in pigeons. This talk will include our recent findings of songbird category perception, songbird abstract concept formation (same/different task), and early results from pigeons' processing of songbird vocalizations in a same/different task. Our findings indicate that (1) categorization in birds seems to be most heavily influenced by acoustic, rather than genetic or experiential factors (2) songbirds treat their vocalizations as perceptual categories, both at the level of the note and species/whole call, (3) chickadees, like pigeons, can perceive abstract, same-different relations, and (4) pigeons are not as good at discriminating chickadee vocalizations as songbirds (chickadees and finches). Our findings suggest that although there are commonalities in complex auditory processing among birds, there are potentially important comparative differences between songbirds and non-songbirds in their treatment of certain types of auditory objects.Publisher PD

An annotated checklist of the Coleoptera (Insecta) of the Cayman Islands, West Indies

A faunal list of 605 species of Coleoptera in 396 genera in 63 families is presented for the Cayman Islands. For most species, island and locality within island collecting information is provided

Evaluation of the depiction of Native Americans in children's literature published in the 1950s

Scope and Method of Study: The methodology of content analysis was an aid in trying to determine what multicultural criteria was present in the children's literature books, which portrayed Native Americans published in the 1950s and still in use in five public libraries which serve Native Americans. The major focus of this study covered the following areas:1. Quality children's literature that focuses on various cultures will help children learn acceptance, and tolerance regardless of their ethnic differences and eliminate cultural misconceptions and stereotyping previously learned.2. The researcher conducted an evaluation of multicultural literature found in five Oklahoma public libraries identified as portraying Native Americans in children's literature published in the 1950s.Findings and Conclusions: Looking at the total frequency of all six books, the criteria category which appeared the most was Characterization/Stereotyping (n=724) closely followed by inappropriate Language/Lexicon (n=683) and the criterion which appeared the least was Historical Inaccuracy (n=186), Cultural Inauthenticity (n=227) and Other (n=24). When examining the frequency in which Language/Lexicon found in Tecumseh: Destiny's Warrior criteria "Were Indian's labeled friendly or unfriendly" (n=115) and the least in Winged Moccasins: The story of Sacajawea (n=20). However, Characterization/ Stereotyping the criterion "Did characters show characterization or stereotyping" appeared the most in Winged Moccasins: The story of Sacajawea (n=145) and found the least in Rifles for Watie (n=4). Due to their having the lowest number of historical inaccuracies Winged Moccasins: The story of Sacajawea (n=14) and Rifles for Watie (n=35) were the only two books that the raters would recommend for children; the other books were found to be more suitable for adults

Songbird organotypic culture as an in vitro model for interrogating sparse sequencing networks

Sparse sequences of neuronal activity are fundamental features of neural circuit computation; however, the underlying homeostatic mechanisms remain poorly understood. To approach these questions, we have developed a method for cellular-resolution imaging in organotypic cultures of the adult zebra finch brain, including portions of the intact song circuit. These in vitro networks can survive for weeks, and display mature neuron morphologies. Neurons within the organotypic slices exhibit a diversity of spontaneous and pharmacologically induced activity that can be easily monitored using the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP6. In this study, we primarily focus on the classic song sequence generator HVC and the surrounding areas. We describe proof of concept experiments including physiological, optical, and pharmacological manipulation of these exposed networks. This method may allow the cellular rules underlying sparse, stereotyped neural sequencing to be examined with new degrees of experimental control

The Feasibility of Counting Songbirds Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Obtaining unbiased survey data for vocal bird species is inherently challenging due to observer biases, habitat coverage biases, and logistical constraints. We propose that combining bioacoustic monitoring with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology could reduce some of these biases and allow bird surveys to be conducted in less accessible areas. We tested the feasibility of the UAV approach to songbird surveys using a low-cost quadcopter with a simple, lightweight recorder suspended 8 m below the vehicle. In a field experiment using playback of bird recordings, we found that small variations in UAV altitude (it hovered at 28, 48, and 68 m) didn\u27t have a significant effect on detections by the recorder attached to the UAV, and we found that the detection radius of our equipment was comparable with detection radii of standard point counts. We then field tested our equipment, comparing songbird detections from our UAV-mounted recorder with standard point-count data from 51 count stations. We found that the number of birds per point on UAV counts was comparable with standard counts for most species, but there were significant underestimates for some—specifically, issues of song masking for a species with a low-frequency song, the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura); and underestimation of the abundance of a species that was found in very high densities, the Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis). Species richness was lower on UAV counts (mean = 5.6 species point−1) than on standard counts (8.3 species point−1), but only slightly lower than on standard counts if nonaudible detections are omitted (6.5 species point−1). Excessive UAV noise is a major hurdle to using UAVs for bioacoustic monitoring, but we are optimistic that technological innovations to reduce motor and rotor noise will significantly reduce this issue. We conclude that UAV-based bioacoustic monitoring holds great promise, and we urge other researchers to consider further experimentation to refine techniques

Influences of environmental and biological factors on song complexity in songbirds : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

Content removed due to copyright reasons: Hill, S. D., Pawley, M. D. M., Anderson, M. G., & Weihong, J. (2017). Higher song complexity and intruder pressure at dawn in a vocally complex songbird. Emu - Austral Ornithology, 118(2), 147-157. doi:10.1080/01584197.2017.1380503In songbirds, song is important for mate attraction and territory defence. Females of some species preferentially select males that have more complex songs, an honest signal for male fitness. Examining variation in song complexity provides important insights into the evolution of sexually-selected vocal characteristics. In this thesis, hypotheses examining song complexity variation and a series of biological and environmental factors were tested. A socially monogamous songbird with highly complex songs and high extra-pair paternity (tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) was selected as the main study model. Firstly, the hypothesis that song complexity in songbird broadcast songs would be higher than in interactive songs was tested. In addition, it was predicted that there would be a positive association between song complexity and extra-pair paternity frequency. This was conducted across 78 songbird species, the most comprehensive analysis in this study area to date. Concordant with the predictions, tui broadcast songs were found to have higher complexity than interactive songs. Furthermore, after controlling for phylogenetic relatedness, a significant positive association between extra-pair paternity frequency and within-song complexity was found across multiple species. Secondly, I tested the hypothesis that tui song complexity would be higher at dawn than at solar noon and dusk. It has previously been established that dawn is a critical period for intensified songbird vocal displays, such as increased song rate. However, little research has been conducted on diurnal variations in song complexity, which was predicted to be higher at dawn. As predicted, both tui song complexity and intrusion rates were significantly greater at dawn than at dusk. In addition, two song complexity variables were inversely correlated with intrusion rate. Thirdly, the hypothesis that male tui would respond more aggressively to more complex songs was tested, to assess whether song complexity plays a role in male-male interactions. Male responses to rival male songs of different degrees of complexity were subsequently examined using playback experiments. Male tui songs with higher complexity evoked stronger and more aggressive intrasexual responses than simple song as predicted. Fourthly, I tested the hypothesis that habitat complexity would correlate positively with tui song complexity. The association between habitat structure and tui song complexity was investigated by comparing male song complexity in two types of habitat: forest remnants with high complexity, and open habitats with lower complexity. As predicted, habitat complexity correlated positively with tui song complexity. Overall, the findings in this thesis provide evidence that several biological and environmental factors are associated with the evolution of song complexity; a socially-selected vocal trait. This study suggests that complex songs in vocally complex songbirds may have evolved under extra-pair paternity, territorial and environmental pressures. It therefore has implications for furthering our understanding of song complexity evolution in songbirds

A hypothesis on improving foreign accents by optimizing variability in vocal learning brain circuits

Rapid vocal motor learning is observed when acquiring a language in early childhood, or learning to speak another language later in life. Accurate pronunciation is one of the hardest things for late learners to master and they are almost always left with a non-native accent. Here I propose a novel hypothesis that this accent could be improved by optimizing variability in vocal learning brain circuits during learning. Much of the neurobiology of human vocal motor learning has been inferred from studies on songbirds. Jarvis (2004) proposed the hypothesis that as in songbirds there are two pathways in humans: one for learning speech (the striatal vocal learning pathway), and one for production of previously learnt speech (the motor pathway). Learning new motor sequences necessary for accurate non-native pronunciation is challenging and I argue that in late learners of a foreign language the vocal learning pathway becomes inactive prematurely. The motor pathway is engaged once again and learners maintain their original native motor patterns for producing speech, resulting in speaking with a foreign accent. Further, I argue that variability in neural activity within vocal motor circuitry generates vocal variability that supports accurate non-native pronunciation. Recent theoretical and experimental work on motor learning suggests that variability in the motor movement is necessary for the development of expertise. I propose that there is little trial-by-trial variability when using the motor pathway. When using the vocal learning pathway variability gradually increases, reflecting an exploratory phase in which learners try out different ways of pronouncing words, before decreasing and stabilizing once the ‘best’ performance has been identified. The hypothesis proposed here could be tested using behavioral interventions that optimize variability and engage the vocal learning pathway for longer, with the prediction that this would allow learners to develop new motor patterns that result in more native-like pronunciation

Comparing bird communities within shrubby transmission line rights-of-way managed by mowing or by selective herbicide application in Maine and New Hampshire

In the northeastern U.S., thousands of miles of shrub-dominated transmission line rights-of-way (ROW) extend across the landscape and provide some of the largest and most stable shrubland habitats in the region. These ROW are used as nesting and post-fledging habitat by the region’s entire community of shrubland-dependent songbirds, but evidence for how ROW are used by songbirds that require other habitats for nesting is lacking. Mist-netting surveys conducted in regenerating clearcuts indicate that adult and fledgling mature-forest songbirds comprise a large proportion of the bird community in clearcuts during the post-fledging portion of the breeding season, a time when juvenile birds and molting adults require dense cover to avoid predators and abundant food resources to prepare for migration. In 2017, we began the first comprehensive mist-netting survey ever conducted in shrubby ROW in southern Maine and New Hampshire to inventory the entire community of songbirds using ROW during the nesting and post-fledging periods. In this preliminary year of our study, we investigated whether differences in the height, density, and species composition of plants between three ROW maintained by mowing and three ROW maintained with selective herbicide treatment resulted in differences in the community of shrubland-dependent or other-habitat-dependent songbirds. We conducted six mist net surveys in each ROW from late May-late August and captured 1,153 individual birds of 44 unique species. There was no difference in the richness or diversity of “Shrubland Species,” “Other Species,” or the entire songbird community between the different ROW types

Evidence of Songbird Intoxication From Rozol Application at a Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Colony

Concerns about avian poisonings from anticoagulant rodenticides have traditionally focused on secondary poisoning of raptors exposed by feeding on contaminated mammalian prey. However, ground foraging songbirds can be directly poisoned from operational applications of the anticoagulant rodenticide RozolH (0.005% chlorophacinone, active ingredient) applied as a grain bait, at black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus colonies. A dead western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta recovered from the study prairie dog colony displayed hemorrhaging in brain and pectoral muscle tissue, and it contained chlorophacinone residue concentrations of 0.59 and 0.49 mg/g (wet weight) in the liver and intestinal contents, respectively. Chlorophacinone residues from two Rozol-colored songbird droppings found at the study colony were 0.09 and 0.46 mg/g (wet weight). The timing of the meadowlark mortality and the occurrence of discolored droppings show that songbird exposure and poisoning can occur weeks after a Rozol application