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Climatic factors which prevail during the breeding season of avian species in spring and early summer may trigger the onset of singing behaviour in songbirds. To understand the effect of climatic variables on the onset of dawn song chorus, we conducted a study in the natural habitats of a tropical songbird, the Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata in Haridwar, Himalayan foothills, India during early spring. The results indicated that the onset time of dawn chorus depends on a number of environmental factors. The song bout length depended on daily temperature, rainfall rate, wind direction, photoperiod, lunar phase, indices of apparent temperature, dew point, sunrise timing and day length, whereas the song rate depended on daily temperature, photoperiod, indices of apparent temperatures, dew point, sunrise timing and day length. Further, stepwise multiple regression revealed that onset time of dawn chorus was dependent on photoperiod and lunar phase, while song bout length and song rate were influenced by day length and sunrise timing respectively.

Most animals that demonstrate parental care are also engaged in such behaviour that increases their offspring chance of survival when confronted by a predator. The present study is equipped with a detailed account of the parental investment in nest defence behaviour of a tropic zone (Haridwar, Himalayan foothills, India) inhabiting species, the Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata) (PBC). During simulated nest defence treatments, we recorded two distinct types of calls which were used during the display of parental aggression by PBCs, threat calls and alarm calls. Significant differences were noted for the usage of the threat calls over the alarm calls during nest defence. For the most part males were found to be more aggressive than females (on the basis of their call rates) during the simulated attacks of the decoy predator. Results also indicated that parental aggression was more inclined towards nestlings than that of the eggs. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that the nest protection intensity increases with the progression of the nesting cycle.

We studied the relationship between song repertoire size, territorial behavior, and nesting success in Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata) in Haridwar (Himalayan foothills), India for three consecutive years (2013–2015). Our findings indicate song repertoire size is correlated with nesting success, but pre-nesting territory size, average territory size, and territorial conflicts are independent of song repertoire size. It may be inferred that larger territories are not necessarily better territories. The findings suggest that larger territory size is more susceptible to increased territorial conflict. Significant differences were apparent between territory size and territorial conflicts in the different stages of the nesting cycle. The findings suggest that larger territory size is more susceptible to increased territorial conflict. We propose that even if territorial conflicts are independent of song repertoire size, the amount of territorial conflict may be constrained by the stage of nesting cycle or size of the territory. Depending upon breeding requirements, male Pied Bush Chats tailor their territory sizes and territorial conflicts during the course of the breeding season.

We investigated singing patterns of Pied Bush Chats across years and nesting cycles. We recorded the seasonal singing activity of 25 males in their natural habitats in Haridwar, Himalayan foothills, India for three consecutive years. The vocal patterns, especially song repertoire size of males, remained largely constant, and this restricted annual variation suggests that the Pied Bush Chats are closed-end learners. Analysis of song bouts during different stages of the nesting cycle and across years indicates that the Pied Bush Chat is an immediate variety singer. The song output in terms of song complexity, song rate, song bout length, and percentage performance time was highest at the beginning of egg laying and during incubation compared to pre-nesting, nest building, and provisioning stages. Such singing peaks with respect to different stages of the nesting cycle indicated mate guarding by male Pied Bush Chats and announcement of fertility status of the guarded female.

Songbirds have been regarded as an important model system in the field of animal communication focusing mainly on songs by male birds. However, the occurrence, structure and sociobiological significance of song in female birds have been a long-neglected field. We describe here the structure and context of female song in a tropical avian species, the Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata). All the females sang occasionally prior to nest-building through egglaying and rarely during incubation. We did not find significant difference in any of the song type characteristics of the female song when compared with male. However, mean song repertoire size for females was significantly smaller than males. Females sang during aggressive interactions with floater or neighbouring females. Females also sang during intersexual vocal communication through song-answering. Observations suggest that females use song for mate defence and probably to convey some pair bond information to the mate. This study provides evidence for the occurrence of female song in the Pied Bush Chat which has otherwise been widely overlooked so far.

Acoustic signals in birds may be classified in taco categories: song and call. Songs are mostly used by males and play important role in territorial establishment and mate attraction during breeding season. In contrast, calls are generally used by both sexes to meet out immediate requirements throughout the year. The present study deals with the physical characteristics and socio-biological significance of different call types used by the Pied Bush Chat Saxicola caprata. Call types were recorded from January to December 2009 during morning and/or evening hours using Sennheiser ME 67 directional microphone attached to Marantz PMD 670 digital sound recorder. The bird used five types of calls, namely territorial call, begging call, alarm call, contact call and distress call in its call repertoire. Three of these are used by the young, while adults produce the remaining two types. The socio-biological significance of these call types has been deduced from the contexts under which birds used them.

This is the completely revised edition of the essential field guide to the birds of New Guinea. The world's largest tropical island, New Guinea boasts a spectacular avifauna characterized by cassowaries, megapodes, pigeons, parrots, cuckoos, kingfishers, and owlet-nightjars, as well as an exceptionally diverse assemblage of songbirds such as the iconic birds of paradise and bowerbirds.Birds of New Guineais the only guide to cover all 780 bird species reported in the area, including 366 endemics. Expanding its coverage with 111 vibrant color plates-twice as many as the first edition-and the addition of 635 range maps, the book also contains updated species accounts with new information about identification, voice, habits, and range. A must-have for everyone from ecotourists to field researchers,Birds of New Guinearemains an indispensable guide to the diverse birds of this remarkable region. 780 bird species, including 366 found nowhere else111 stunning color plates, twice the number of the first editionExpanded and updated species accounts provide details on identification, voice, habits, and range635 range mapsRevised classification of birds reflects the latest research