Unique songs of African wood-owls (Strix woodfordii) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

B.G. Marcot

Treesearch

Unique songs of African wood-owls (Strix woodfordii) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

B.G. Marcot

Year:

2007

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

Gabar. 18(1): 16-24.

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Abstract

Statistical analysis of African wood-owl (Strix woodfordii) song spectrograms suggest a significantly different song type in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), central Africa, than elsewhere in eastern or southern Africa. Songs of DRC owls tend to be consistently shorter in duration and more monotone in overall frequency range. The first note is either absent or is very soft and slightly lower in frequency than the second note in DRC owls, compared with owls found elsewhere whose first note was prominent, loud, and much higher in frequency than the second note. Also, male owls in DRC sing at a higher frequency than do male owls elsewhere. Further study is needed to determine biogeographic, behavioral, and taxonomic context and causes.

Keywords

African wood-owl, bird song, owl vocalizations, Strix woodfordii, Congo

Citation

Marcot, B.G. 2007. Unique songs of African wood-owls (Strix woodfordii) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gabar. 18(1): 16-24.