Seasonal Territoriality in the Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, to Visual and Vocal Stimuli.
Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
8-2006
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Fred J. Alsop III
Committee Members
John H. Kalbfleisch, Thomas F. Laughlin
Abstract
Carolina Wrens, Thryothorus ludovicianus, are permanent residents throughout their range. They form pair bonds at a young age, maintain these bonds for multiple years, and defend feeding/breeding territories year round. Male Carolina Wrens use songs in territorial defense and have been shown to countersing regularly to both neighbors and intruders. They use various song characteristics to determine the location of another bird and whether its territory has been invaded.
Wrens often approach playbacks silently in apparent searching behavior. In some cases, birds will investigate the playback but fail to countersing. I wanted to determine whether or not wrens would respond more strongly during playbacks with a decoy. In addition, the experiment was conducted during breeding and nonbreeding periods to compare responses across seasons. The findings show that wrens respond more aggressively to playbacks with a decoy and to playbacks conducted during the breeding season.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Dunaway, Mark Allen, "Seasonal Territoriality in the Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, to Visual and Vocal Stimuli." (2006). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2208. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2208
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.