Function of song in the Hoopoe Upupa epops

Male Hoopoes Upupa epops, (Coraciformes) have a very simple song, with a re pertoire size of one. The number of elements per strophe (strophe length) i s the only difference between strophes of the same male, and the main diffe rence between males. The function of this song was analysed in a colour-rin ged population of Hoopoes in Granada, southern Spain, by monitoring the pat tern of male song activity and response to an experimental song throughout the breeding season. Both spontaneous songs and responses to playback exper iments decreased after the onset of egg-laying, and song production was not associated with feeding sites or nest holes. Moreover, some of the breedin g males that had lost their females resumed singing, Males also used song t o recover lost contacts with their mates. These findings suggest that the p rincipal function of song in the Hoopoe is intersexual, for attracting fema les, and that, in an intrasexual context, its use is restricted to defence of mates. The dual function of Hoopoe song suggests that it provides inform ation both for males and females, probably about male quality.