The researchers believe the bird couples sing duets to not only protect their territories from rival couples, but also to prevent other birds from disrupting their relationship. Extra-pair matings have been documented in this species and most other birds. "Moreover, rufous-and-white wrens frequently engage in divorce," the authors point out. They believe their findings apply to many other birds that sing duets, particularly those living in areas of thick vegetation. Herman Mays Jr., curator of zoology at the Geier Collections and Research Center at the Cincinnati Museum Center, told Discovery News that the new "paper is a very important contribution, not just to the literature on avian duetting, but towards our understanding of animal communication in general." Mays said the innovative eight-microphone system is already "proving to be a critical tool in studying animal behavior." He was also glad to see a paper addressing the apparent double meaning of certain bird songs, which can bring avian couples together and keep rivals at bay. The issue, he said, has been a "very interesting puzzle in animal communication" for many years. Related Links: |
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