DBE - 'no alarms and no surprises'

Acoustic communication of corncrake Crex crex

Team:
Tomasz Osiejuk, Pawel Rek, Michal Skierczynski, K. Losak (Adam Mickiewicz University)
Bogumila Olech (Kampinoski National Park)

The initial project concerned relationships between corncrake call variation and ecology. We focused on seasonal changes of call parameters in relation to males' size, testosterone level and progress of breeding season. Some results are published (look below), but we still working on individual recognition of males and on linear predictive coding analyses of Corncrake call. However, the main topic for the current project is conventional signalling in corncrake. We study this aspect of communication with playback experimental approach and microphone array.
Financial support: MNiSW grant No. N304 112 32/4110.

Past projects:

Financial support by the KBN grant No. 6 P04F 02 020 (head Bogumila Olech).

Relevant publications

Osiejuk, T.S. & Olech, B. 2004. Amplitude spectra of Corncrake calls: what do they signalise? Anim. Biol. 54: 207-220.
Osiejuk, T.S., Olech, B., Ratynska, K., Owsinski, A. & Gromadzka-Ostrowska, J. 2004. Effects of season, plasma testosterone and body size corncrake (Crex crex) call rhythm . Ann. Zool. Fenn. 41: 647-659.