Antiphonal four-part synchronized chorusing in a Neotropical wren

Abstract

Plain-tailed wrens ( Thryothorus euophrys ) live in groups that sing synchronized choruses, the contributions of females and males alternating with each other in cycles, within which each sex sings two of the four parts, the whole achieving near perfect synchrony. As each bird has a repertoire of ca 20 phrases of each type, the synchrony also requires them to choose the same type at the same time as others of their sex. Songs can last up to 2 min, during which individuals join in and drop out. This must be one of the most complex singing performances yet described in a non-human animal.