emily finch department of biology calvin college

Emily FinchDepartment of BiologyCalvin College

TURN DOWN THE NOISE: TEMPORAL MODIFICATION OF SONGBIRD SINGING BEHAVIOR IN THE PRESENCE OF PUNCTUATED NOISE EVENTS

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.  

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

METHODS 6 weeks of data collection

METHODS 6 weeks of data collection

2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week

METHODS 6 weeks of data collection

2 experimental sites and 2 control sites per week

Focus on forest/forest edge species

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

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

SITE LAYOUT

Speaker

Passive recorder

~50 meters

25 meters

Control has passive recorder, but no playback setup

NOISE PLAYBACK

10 min pre

10 min post

5 min 1 min

Ramp

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

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

DAILY PROCEDURE Point counts

System Test

Enter point counts

Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps

• Species and distance• Other factors: wind,

temperature, clouds, time

DAILY PROCEDURE Point counts

System Test

Enter point counts

Analyze recordings, focus on the gaps

• Cut gaps • Count number of songs

per species

CALCULATING THE RESULTS Finish data collection (1 week remaining) Count all 1 and 5 minute gaps and 10 minute

post-playback

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

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

CONCLUSION The information gathered from this study can

help influence road construction.

Bird adaptability can be used in conservation efforts when planning roadways