scholarly journals Songbird frequency selectivity and temporal resolution vary with sex and season

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1751) ◽  
pp. 20122296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan D. Gall ◽  
Therese S. Salameh ◽  
Jeffrey R. Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Temporal Resolution ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
Frequency Selectivity ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Concomitant Reduction

Many species of songbirds exhibit dramatic seasonal variation in song output. Recent evidence suggests that seasonal changes in auditory processing are coincident with seasonal variation in vocal output. Here, we show, for the first time, that frequency selectivity and temporal resolution of the songbird auditory periphery change seasonally and in a sex-specific manner. Male and female house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) did not differ in their frequency sensitivity during the non-breeding season, nor did they differ in their temporal resolution. By contrast, female house sparrows showed enhanced frequency selectivity during the breeding season, which was matched by a concomitant reduction of temporal resolution. However, males failed to show seasonal plasticity in either of these auditory properties. We discuss potential mechanisms generating these seasonal patterns and the implications of sex-specific seasonal changes in auditory processing for vocal communication.

What A Sparrow Bib Can Reveal

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Author(s):  
Johannes Erritzře
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Male House

Abstract It has long been known that male House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) with a large bib dominate other sparrows with smaller bibs. Also during the breeding season females prefer males with large badges, as the bib is also called, even though these males show more sexual interest in other females than males with smaller bibs (Møller 1987). But why do females prefer an unfaithful partner? Is it because of his large bib, or is the answer more complex?

scholarly journals Social Environment Affects Beak Color in Captive Male House Sparrows Passer Domesticus

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-17
Author(s):  
Michael P. Lombardo ◽  
Patrick A. Thorpe ◽  
Sheila Colpetzer
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Passer Domesticus ◽  
House Sparrows ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Secondary Sexual Characteristic ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Physical Interactions ◽  
Sexual Characteristic ◽  
Male House

AbstractBlack beak color in male House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) is a secondary sexual characteristic whose expression is directly correlated with testosterone levels. To experimentally determine if social environment affects black beak color and by implication testosterone levels, we housed wild-caught male sparrows either individually (n = 10), “Solo” males, or in the company of two other males (n = 4 “Group”s of 3 males), “Group” males, from 26 May – 7 July 2006. We predicted that “Solo” males would lose beak color faster than would “Group” males. We used digital images to monitor beak color once a week starting on 26 May. Beak blackness decreased more quickly and to a greater degree in “Solo” than in “Group” males. These results show that social environment in captivity affected beak color and suggest that male House Sparrows may require physical interactions to maintain breeding season levels of testosterone.

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