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SINGING BEHAVIOR AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE SONGS OF THE VEERY (CATHARUS FUSCESCENS) ACROSS THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

Brennan, Courtney L
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1392301005

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science in Environmental Science, Cleveland State University, College of Sciences and Health Professions.
The Veery (Catharus fuscescens) is a common Neotropical migrant thrush whose breeding distribution spans the northern United States and southern Canada and continues south through the high elevations of the Appalachian Mountains. Despite its wide distribution, many aspects of Veery biology are largely unknown, including a clear characterization of song and knowledge of geographic song variation. I describe the song structure, repertoire size, and patterns of song delivery in the songs of the Veery and describe geographic song variation across four regions along the Appalachian Mountains. Visual analysis of song spectrogram images of territorial males revealed that Veeries’ repertoire ranges from one to six different song types, which is larger than what was previously described in the literature. Spectrogram analysis suggested that Veeries present song types in predictable patterns, and patterns of song presentation can change depending on repertoire size. Veeries also presented their songs in an oscillating frequency pattern regardless of repertoire size, a previously undocumented feature of their singing behavior. Random coefficient models show significant variation infrequency and temporal features of the Veery song within each sample area and across the Appalachian Mountains. The interconnectedness of developmental and behavioral processes such as song learning, natal and breeding dispersal, and varying levels of gene flow among populations may be influencing the geographic frequency shifts found in Veery songs across this more isolated portion of the breeding range.
Andrew Jones, PhD (Committee Co-Chair)
Julie Wolin, PhD (Committee Co-Chair)
Michael Horvath, PhD (Committee Member)
Robert Krebs, PhD (Committee Member)
Biology; Environmental Studies

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Citations

  • Brennan, C. L. (2014). SINGING BEHAVIOR AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE SONGS OF THE VEERY (CATHARUS FUSCESCENS) ACROSS THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS [Master's thesis, Cleveland State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1392301005

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Brennan, Courtney. SINGING BEHAVIOR AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE SONGS OF THE VEERY (CATHARUS FUSCESCENS) ACROSS THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS. 2014. Cleveland State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1392301005.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Brennan, Courtney. "SINGING BEHAVIOR AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE SONGS OF THE VEERY (CATHARUS FUSCESCENS) ACROSS THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS." Master's thesis, Cleveland State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1392301005

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

csu1392301005
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Cleveland State University and OhioLINK.