2-NOTE SYLLABLES IN CANARY SONGS ELICIT HIGH-LEVELS OF SEXUAL DISPLAY

Male canaries, Serinus canaria, sing a special phrase ('A') that elici ts very high levels of sexual display in conspecific females. This phr ase is characterized by the repetition of a complex but brief two-note syllable. We tested the sexual responsiveness of female canaries to t hese A phrases, extracted from eight male repertoires. Five of the phr ases elicited very high levels of copulation solicitation displays in the females. We suggest that the females may use the very rapid tempor al patterning of the distinct notes in these two-note syllables to ass ess male quality. These syllables maybe an honest indicator of a male' s condition and may thus attract and arouse females. (C) 1998 The Asso ciation for the Study of Animal Behaviour.