Temporal Acoustic Patterns of the Oriental Turtle Dove in a Subtropical Forest in China

Abstract

There is an abundance of bird species in subtropical areas, but studies on the vocal behavior of non-passerines in subtropical regions are limited. In this study, passive acoustic monitoring was used to investigate the temporal acoustic patterns of the vocal activities of the Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) in Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve (YNNR) in eastern China. The results show that the vocal production of the Oriental Turtle Dove exhibited a seasonal variation, peaking in the period April–August. Additionally, its diurnal vocal activity displayed a bimodal pattern in late spring and summer, with the first peak in the morning and a secondary peak at dusk. Among weather factors, temperature significantly affected the temporal sound pattern of the Oriental Turtle Dove, instead of humidity and precipitation. This study, which was focused on sound monitoring technology, provides knowledge for further research on bird behavior and ecology. In the future, long-term sound monitoring could be used for managing and conserving bird biodiversity.