Seasonal Climate Impacts on Vocal Activity in Two Neotropical Nonpasserines

Climatic conditions represent one of the main constraints that influence avian calling behavior. Here, we monitored the daily calling activity of the Undulated Tinamou (Crypturellus undulatus) and the Chaco Chachalaca (Ortalis canicollis) during the dry and wet seasons in the Brazilian Pantanal. We aimed to assess the effects of climate predictors on the vocal activity of these focal species and evaluate whether these effects may vary among seasons. Air temperature was positively associated with the daily calling activity of both species during the dry season. However, the vocal activity of both species was unrelated to air temperature during the wet season, when higher temperatures occur. Daily rainfall was positively related to the daily calling activity of both species during the dry season, when rainfall events are scarce and seem to act as a trigger for breeding phenology of the focal species. Nonetheless, daily rainfall was negatively associated with the daily calling activity of the Undulated Tinamou during the wet season, when rainfall was abundant. This study improves our understanding of the vocal behavior of tropical birds and their relationships with climate, but further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind the associations found in our study.

Automated summary

The study shows that climatic conditions play a significant role in influencing the calling behavior of tropical birds. Air temperature positively affects the daily calling activity of Undulated Tinamou and Chaco Chachalaca during the dry season, while daily rainfall has a positive impact on their calls in the dry season but a negative impact during the wet season. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these associations.