Females extract multiple signals from male song in Java sparrows

Abstract

AbstractSongs play an important role in mate choice for many bird species. Females of some species prefer mates with song characteristics such as familiarity, complexity, or specific temporal or note features. Different song characteristics may provide distinct information about the birds that produced those songs. For example, familiarity may be a signal of local adaptation, locally relevant information or learned behaviours, or genetic compatibility, while song complexity may be a signal of overall genetic quality. However, how song characteristics combine to affect female preferences remains poorly understood. We examined female preference for song familiarity and complexity using the Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora) as a model species. Females were presented with pairs of song stimuli; familiar and unfamiliar songs in familiarity trials, and songs differing in note repertoire or linearity in complexity trials. Females preferred their fathers’ songs over unfamiliar songs, but we did not find strong evidence that females generalized this preference to other socially related individuals. Females also preferred complex songs, specifically those with larger note repertoires and with lower linearity, even when controlling for familiarity. Our results suggest that female song preference in Java sparrows is multi-faceted, with different song characteristics potentially offering different information to choosy females.