Notes on the vocalizations of Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus)

In the following we briefly analyze and compare voice of the different races of Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus). We also try to quantify the extent of any vocal differences using the criteria proposed by Tobias et al. (2010), as a support for taxonomic review. We have made use of sound recordings available on-line from Xeno Canto (XC).

It would seem that vocally, one can distinguish 6 groups:

griseus group

Song is a fast series of notes (trill or rattle) with highest pitch and amplitude about in the middle. Depending on the level of excitement, amplitude and frequency in the middle of the song varies somewhat. Within this group, there are slight differences among the different races:

S. g. jaliscensis: 15-20 notes, 0.9-1.1s long, 0.035s note length, max. freq. 4400-6000Hz, min freq. 2000Hz

S. g. sylvioides: 22-27 notes, 1.1-1.6s long, 0.032s note length, max freq 5200-6000Hz, min freq. 2200-2700Hz

S. g. gracileus : S. g. perijanus S. g. tachirensis no recordings on XC

S. g. griseus:  Differs in starting slower, with longer more whistled notes before switching to a longer rattle. 35-42 notes, 2.7-3.4s long, 0.038s note length, max freq 4200-5200Hz, min freq 1700Hz. (S.g. griseus thus has a higher number of notes, a longer song strophe and reaches lower frequencies, which may be scored according to Tobias criteria about 2+2 vs. other races within this group).

 

aequatorialis group

Song is a fast series of notes (trill or rattle) with highest pitch and amplitude about in the middle. Differs from griseus group in sounding much more mellower or 'rubber-lipped'.

Measurements: 32-35 notes, 1.9-2.1s long, 0.036s note length, max. freq. 2000-2200Hz, min freq. 1000Hz.

Main vocal differences with the griseus group are the much lower maximum frequency (score 3) and frequency range (score 2), which leads to a total score of 5 (at most).

 

The above two groups differ markedly from all the following groups, primarily because song is a trill or rattle (vs. a much slower series of notes for all following groups). Vocal difference can thus be quantified based on fast pace and short note (score at least 3+3 vs. all following groups).

 

griseicapillus group 1 (includes S. g. amazonus and S. g. axillaris)

Song is a series of whistles which start about flat-pitched and change into downslurred whistles. The series first increases in pitch, towards end again dropping in pitch. Measurements: 6-15 notes, 1.8-5s long, 0.18-0.28s note length, min/max freq. c. 1600-5000Hz

(S. g. transitivus: no clear recordings of song on XC, possibly different voice).

 

griseicapillus group 2 (includes S. g. viridis and S. g. griseicapillus)

Song is a series of rather staccato overslurred whistles. First increasing in pitch, towards end again dropping in pitch (notes of griseicapillus shorter than in viridis). Measurements: 11-23 notes, 3.4-5.36s long, 0.08-0.17s note length, max/min freq 3900-1700Hz.

 

reiseri group (S. g. reiseri)

Song is a series of upslurred notes, at about constant amplitude and frequency over its entire length. Measurements: 14-22 notes, 3-5s long, 0.1-0.13s note length, max/min freq. 5000-2000Hz.

 

sylviellus group (includes S. g. olivaceus and S. g. sylviellus)

Song is a series of well-separated short upslurred or overslurred notes, gradually descending in pitch and often ending with some stuttering notes. Maximum amplitude in the beginning (somewhat longer with more notes and higher-pitched in sylviellus). Measurements: 8-15 notes, 2.8-7s long, 0.13-0.19s note length, max/min freq c. 6000-1800Hz   

 

These last 4 groups are less markedly differentiated in terms of basic sound parameters, but can nevertheless be readily identified in the majority of cases.

griseicapillus group 1: unique features: long note length and note shapes

griseicapillus group 2: unique features: stable note length and shape over entire series

reiseri group: unique features: about constant amplitude and frequency over entire length and upslurred notes

sylviellus group: unique features: intervals longer than note length, descending pitch (and sometimes stutter at end)

 

We can thus conclude that voice of this complex can be divided into two major groups, characterized by respectively trilled songs and countable note series. In each of these, further subgroups can be distinguished (2 (or 3) in the former and 4 in the latter).

 

This note was finalized on 1st April 2015, using sound recordings available on-line at that moment. We would like to thank in particular the many sound recordists who placed their recordings for this species on XC.

 

References

Tobias, J.A., Seddon, N., Spottiswoode, C.N., Pilgrim, J.D., Fishpool, L.D.C. & Collar, N.J. (2010). Quantitative criteria for species delimitation. Ibis 152(4): 724–746.

More Information: on79_olivaceous_woodcreeper.pdf