In this ecological field research we study the communication underlying breeding decisions in wild zebra finches who breed under varying and unpredictable conditions. Zebra finches are the best-studied avian model organism in the lab for behaviour, mate choice, life history decisions, and the function of male song. Yet, there is very little information about the communication process when making breeding decisions. Within the framework of an NWO ALW open competition grant we determine the nature if the song communication system, its spatial and social behaviour as well as its breeding ecology under the extreme and variable ecological conditions of the Australian Outbacks.
One specific question, which we address is the function of male song. Birdsong is the best studied animal communication system, yet the singing behaviour is puzzling in this prime avian model organism. Unlike most temperate zone songbirds, zebra finches are not territorial and males, being 'faithfully' paired with a female and with very low occurrence of extra-pair matings, sing mostly after pair formation. Thus the common interpretation that birdsong functions in territorial defence and mate attraction does not explain singing raising broader question on the functions and evolution of birdsong.
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MSc students who are interested in joining the field work (or data analyses), please contact me!!
Cooperating partner: Simon Griffith (Macquarie University, Sydney, AUS);
PhD student: Hugo Loning
Field work at: Fowlers Gap Research Station in NSW, Australia