Behavioral Correlates of Song Types of the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Abstract

Abstract The primary songs of four male northern mockingbirds ( Mimus polyglottos ) were recorded along with simultaneous descriptions of behavior. Individual song types were identified spectrographically and the more commonly occurring song types in their extensive repertoires investigated for behavioral correlates. For each male, song types were distributed non randomly between categories in two behavioral dichotomies; flight versus non‐flight and associating with mate versus not associating. In species in which individuals possess large song repertoires, it commonly is assumed that all song types provide the same information. This appears not to be the case in northern mockingbirds. The difficulties in documenting behavioral correlates of song types are discussed and the various ways male mockingbirds make information available are described. These various aspects of singing differ in the specificity of information they make available and should require different time investments by the recipient to comprehend.