Endangered songbirds are losing their chance to learn mating calls, putting species at risk
By Christina Larson
Scientists worry that the world is losing about 1% or 2% of its insects each year.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Male songbirds usually learn their tunes from adult mentors. But when aspiring crooners lack proper role models, they hit all the wrong notes and have less success attracting mates.
For five years, ecologist Ross Crates has tracked the singing ability and breeding success of critically endangered regent honeyeaters. These distinctive black and yellow birds were once common across Australia, but habitat loss since the 1950s has shrunk their population to only about 300 or 400 wild birds today.
As endangered birds lose their songs, they can t find mates
CHRISTINA LARSON, AP Science Writer
March 16, 2021
FacebookTwitterEmail 3
1of3This 2016 photo provided by Murray Chambers shows a male regent honeyeater bird in Capertee Valley in New South Wales, Australia. The distinctive black and yellow birds were once common across Australia, but habitat loss since the 1950s has shrunk their population to only about 300 wild birds today. (Murray Chambers via AP)Murray Chambers/APShow MoreShow Less
2of3This 2015 photo provided by Lachlan Hall shows male regent honeyeater birds in Capertee Valley in New South Wales, Australia. The distinctive black and yellow birds were once common across Australia, but habitat loss since the 1950s has shrunk their population to only about 300 wild birds today. (Lachlan Hall via AP)Lachlan L. Hall/APShow MoreShow Less
Critically endangered Regent honeyeater songbirds are learning the tunes of other birds, which is causing them to be spurned by potential mates, a new study finds.
The bird is losing its song culture due to a rapidly declining population, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU).
Males of the species have been passing on their mating song for thousands of years, but the declining population has meant the song is dying out along with the birds.
Younger males are learning mating songs from other bird species by mistake as there aren t enough adults to teach them, explained lead author Dr Ross Crates.
Close
Male songbirds normally discover their tunes from grown-up mentors. But when striving crooners lack adequate role models, they strike all the bad notes-and have limited success luring mates.
Ecologist Ross Crates, for five years, has traced the singing potential and breeding achievement of seriously endangered regent honeyeaters. These distinct yellow and black birds were initially widespread in Australia, but the loss of habitat since the 1950s has reduced their population to just around 400 or 300 wild birds presently.
(Photo : Pixabay)
Honey-Eaters
Now they are scarcely distributed across the landscape, quite many fly solo. Whereas male birds created large winter flock once. That implies fewer honeyeater tutors are closeby during youthful birds impressionable first year.