Physical characteristics and functional meaning of some vocal signals in white-spectacled bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)

Abstract

The study aimed to determine physical characteristics and meaning of different vocal signals of the White-spectacled Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos, during breeding seasons. Six types of signals were identified in relation to their behavioural context as territory, localisation, alarm, foraging, greeting, and resting. The carrier frequency of the signals varied between 1.27 (min) to 5.35 (max) kHz, and differed between signals as well as shape, number of syllables and elements. Results of the study have shown us information about the vocal communication system of the species, and furthermore, it was determined that the White-spectacled Bulbul could be a good model species to study both acoustic and behavioural topics since they are habituated to human disturbance.