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Emily Finch Department of Biology Calvin College

Turn down the noise: Temporal modification of songbird singing behavior in the presence of punctuated noise events. Emily Finch Department of Biology Calvin College. Hypothesis and Prediction.

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Emily Finch Department of Biology Calvin College

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  1. Turn down the noise: Temporal modification of songbird singing behavior in the presence of punctuated noise events Emily Finch Department of Biology Calvin College

  2. Hypothesis and Prediction • If temporal modification is an important adaptation for persistence in anthropogenic noise, we predict that songbirds will sing more often and with greater regularity during quiet periods of time embedded within experimentally elevated noise than  during similar times intervals under control (non-noise) conditions.

  3. Objectives • Determine the effects of road noise on bird singing patterns • Possibility of adaptation • Determine if songbirds will adapt to sing more in quiet gaps • Modify behavior to sing more frequently during 1 and 5 minute gaps in noise compared to equivalent gaps in quiet conditions • Or delay vocalization until post-playback conditions

  4. Methods • 6 weeks of data collection

  5. Methods • 6 weeks of data collection • 2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week

  6. Methods • 6 weeks of data collection • 2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week • Focus on forest/forest edge species

  7. Methods • 6 weeks of data collection • 2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week • Focus on forest/forest edge species • 3 to 4 days of experiment per week • Possibility of acclimation

  8. Methods • 6 weeks of data collection • 2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week • Focus on forest/forest edge species • 3 to 4 days of experiment per week • Each site 350+ meters apart

  9. Site layout 25 meters Passive recorder Speaker ~50 meters Control has passive recorder, but no playback setup

  10. Noise Playback 10 min post 10 min pre 5 min 1 min Ramp

  11. Daily Procedure • Point counts • System Test • Enter point counts • Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps • 10 minutes • Top 20 forest species • Note distance • Check the unknown species • Purpose

  12. Daily Procedure • Point counts • System Test • Enter point counts • Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps • Run sound playback and check speakers • Change out the battery

  13. Daily Procedure • Point counts • System Test • Enter point counts • Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps • Species and distance • Other factors: wind, temperature, clouds, time

  14. Daily Procedure • Point counts • System Test • Enter point counts • Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps • Cut gaps • Count number of songs per species

  15. Calculating the Results • Finish data collection (1 week remaining) • Count all 1 and 5 minute gaps and 10 minute post-playback

  16. Calculating the Results • Finish data collection (1 week remaining) • Count all 1 and 5 minute gaps and 10 minute post-playback Then… • Choose focal species • In the lead: REVI, AMRO, EAWP, TUTI, ACFL, COYE • Compare 1 and 5 minute gaps in control and experimental conditions • Calculate song rate in 10 minute post playback

  17. Possible Outcomes • Birds sing more in silent windows during noise playback than during equivalent gaps under control conditions • Birds vocalize less in noisy conditions than in quiet conditions • Under noisy conditions, birds will leave the area • As time progresses, bird singing patterns change indicating that they are able to or not able to adjust to noisy conditions

  18. Conclusion • The information gathered from this study can help influence road construction. • Bird adaptability can be used in conservation efforts when planning roadways

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