Individual Identification Based on the Songs of the Emei Shan Liocichla (Liocichla omeiensis)

Abstract

In some oscine birds, individually distinctive vocalisations are thought to be more pronounced allowing individual recognition based on songs. In this study, we explore individual identification in the songs of male Emei Shan Liocichla, a vulnerable babbler that inhabits dense vegetation. We recorded territorial songs of male Emei Shan Liocichla from Laojunshan National Nature Reserve during the breeding season of 2016, in southern Sichuan, China. We used three methods to compare the acoustic difference among and within individuals. The results demonstrated that male Emei Shan Liocichlas had individually distinct songs and can be used to identify individuals. We also found that 4 to 5 songs were relatively certain of an individual identity. Our findings indicated that individual distinctiveness by vocalisation was reliable in the Emei Shan Liocichla. Monitoring song therefore provides a potential method to follow individuals in the field and thus facilitate ecological research of this secretive species.