Song Dialects in the Redwing Turdus iliacus

Abstract

The song-dialect structure of the Redwing Turdus iliacus in a 965 km2 area 40 km north of Oslo, Norway, is described, based upon registrations during the years 1971-77. The dialect areas are shown to be small, with sharp boundaries between them. Where two dialect populations come into contact, some males may sing both dialects. The conformity and stereotypy within the dialect area with regard to song patterni s high, and in general,t he dialect structurew as constantf rom year to year. Preliminary colour-banding investigations indicate that Redwings to a very small extent cross over to the adjacent dialect area.