First record of vocal mimicry in scarlet-headed blackbird amblyramphus holosericeus (Aves: Passeriformes) in the southeastern Brazil

Sementili-Cardoso, Guilherme [UNESP]; Marcelino, Raphael Sabongi Lúcio [UNESP]; Donatelli, Reginaldo José [UNESP]

First record of vocal mimicry in scarlet-headed blackbird amblyramphus holosericeus (Aves: Passeriformes) in the southeastern Brazil

Data

2019-01-01

Autores

Sementili-Cardoso, Guilherme

Marcelino, Raphael Sabongi Lúcio

Donatelli, Reginaldo José

Tipo

Artigo

Resumo

Vocal mimicry is the ability of some bird species to copy heterospecific vocalizations in order to establish deceptive or non-deceptive interactions between an emitter and a receiver. This kind of vocal behavior is well documented in several species of New World Blackbirds (Icteridae family), but not in Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus). Here we report the first event of vocal mimicry of this species, where a single individual imitated the vocal signals of Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani; Cuculiformes, Cuculidae). We argue that such behavior could have a deceptive role, increasing the predation avoidance and foraging efficiency of A. holosericeus by luring heterospecific individuals to form a mixed-flock.