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Negotiation of territorial boundaries in a songbird

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  • Sandra L. Vehrencamp
  • Jesse M. Ellis
  • Brett F. Cropp
  • John M. Koltz

Abstract

How do territorial neighbors resolve the location of their boundaries? We addressed this question by testing the predictions of 2 nonexclusive game theoretical models for competitive signaling: the sequential assessment game and the territorial bargaining game. Our study species, the banded wren, is a neotropical nonmigratory songbird living in densely packed territorial neighborhoods. The males possess repertoires of approximately 25 song types that are largely shared between neighbors and sequentially delivered with variable switching rates. Over 3 days, boundary disputes among pairs of neighboring males were synchronously recorded, their perch positions were marked, and their behavioral interactions were noted. For each countersinging interaction between 2 focal males, we quantified approach and retreat order, a variety of song and call patterns, closest approach distance, distance from the territorial center, and female presence. Aggressors produced more rattle-buzz songs during the approaching phase of interactions, whereas defenders overlapped their opponent’s songs. During the close phase of the interaction, both males matched frequently, but the key determinant of which one retreated first was song-type diversity—first retreaters sang with a higher diversity. Retreaters also produced more unshared song types during the interaction, and in the retreating phase of the interaction, they overlapped more. A negative correlation between song-type diversity asymmetry and contest duration suggested sequential assessment of motivational asymmetry. The use of this graded signal, which varied with distance from the center and indicated a male’s motivation to defend a particular position, supported the bargaining model. The bargaining game could be viewed as a series of sequential assessment contests.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra L. Vehrencamp & Jesse M. Ellis & Brett F. Cropp & John M. Koltz, 2014. "Negotiation of territorial boundaries in a songbird," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 25(6), pages 1436-1450.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:25:y:2014:i:6:p:1436-1450.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/aru135
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Selvino R. de Kort & Erin R. B. Eldermire & Emily R. A. Cramer & Sandra L. Vehrencamp, 2009. "The deterrent effect of bird song in territory defense," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 20(1), pages 200-206.
    2. Sally Ward & Helene M. Lampe & Peter J. B. Slater, 2004. "Singing is not energetically demanding for pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 15(3), pages 477-484, May.
    3. Michelle L. Hall & Anya Illes & Sandra L. Vehrencamp, 2006. "Overlapping signals in banded wrens: long-term effects of prior experience on males and females," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 17(2), pages 260-269, March.
    4. Jennifer R. Foote & Lauren P. Fitzsimmons & Daniel J. Mennill & Laurene M. Ratcliffe, 2008. "Male chickadees match neighbors interactively at dawn: support for the social dynamics hypothesis," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 19(6), pages 1192-1199.
    5. Sandra L. Vehrencamp & Michelle L. Hall & Erin R. Bohman & Catherine D. Depeine & Anastasia H. Dalziell, 2007. "Song matching, overlapping, and switching in the banded wren: the sender's perspective," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 18(5), pages 849-859.
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    Cited by:

    1. Russell A Ligon & Kevin J McGraw, 2018. "A chorus of color: hierarchical and graded information content of rapid color change signals in chameleons," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 29(5), pages 1075-1087.

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