Notes on the vocalizations of Yellow-margined Flycatcher (Tolmomyias assimilis)

In the following we briefly analyze and compare voice of the different races of Yellow-margined Flycatcher (Tolmomyias assimilis). 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) and Macaulay Library (ML).

There are clearly 3 vocal groups:

Central America and Choco region T. a. flavotectus(n=8): Song is very constant: a series of 4-5 high-pitched notes, with a longer pause after first note and subsequent 3-4 notes slightly higher-pitched, equally paced and nearly identical. On a sonogram notes are clear-cut nicely rounded and overslurred.

max. freq.                                              7350-8500Hz

max. note length                                   0.11-0.16s

min. freq.                                               6100-7100Hz

min. pause                                             0.30-0.39s

total freq. range                                    4900-6000Hz

min note length                                     0.067-0.15s

freq. bands                                            1

 

N of Amazon T. a. neglectus T. a. examinatus (n=6): Song is a variable series of a few drawn-out extremely nasal, almost screaming notes, on a sonogram apparent by a large number of equidistant frequency bands. All notes at about the same pitch, and are symmetrical and overslurred.

max. freq.                                              3450-5000Hz

max. note length                                   0.36-0.50s

min. freq.                                               3200-5000Hz

min. pause                                             0.32-1.15s

total freq. range                                    1800-3500Hz

min note length                                     0.34-0.46s

freq. bands                                            7-11 (at about 300Hz distance)

 

S of Amazon T. a. obscuriceps T. a. clarus T. a. assimilis T. a. paraensis T. a. calamae (n=10): Song is a variable series of a few slightly buzzy notes. Notes typically rise in pitch, and are asymmetrical on a sonogram. Note shapes vary considerably among races.

max. freq.                                              3100-4140Hz

max. note length                                   0.22-0.48s

min. freq.                                               2500-3100Hz

min. pause                                             0.20-0.9s

total freq. range                                    1100-2500Hz

min note length                                     0.20-0.44s

freq. bands                                            1 (with slightly burry appearance)

 

flavotectus is clearly different from all remaining races, reaching much higher frequencies (score 3-4) and having a very large frequency range (score 3), having much shorter notes (score 3-4). The constant rhythmic pattern is also diagnostic (other vocal groups only occasionally having this rhythm). When applying Tobias criteria, this would lead to a total vocal score of about 7.

N of Amazon T. a. neglectus T. a. examinatus is readily identified by its extremely harsh notes. It differs from birds S of the Amazon by reaching slightly higher frequencies (score 1) with all notes at about the same pitch (score 2-3) and the screechy notes reflected on a sonogram by many equidistant frequency bands (score 2-3). Total vocal score about 5.

 

There are still differences among races south of the Amazon, principally in note shape, which would require further work to unravel.

In this context, there is also the newly described sucunduri (n=2)

max. freq.                                              3750-4400Hz

max. note length                                   0.36-0.40s

min. freq.                                               3000-3500Hz

min. pause                                             0.3-0.6s

total freq. range                                    1600-2800Hz

min note length                                     0.24-0.30s

freq. bands                                            1 (with distinct modulated appearance)

Based on these 2 recordings (available from the IBC website) and above measurements, overall song structure is similar to birds S of the Amazon, with none of the basic sound parameters highly distinct (a score of 1 for a higher max. freq. for any note in the song). What is most distinct is the 'modulated' note shape, which in fact is a composite of a fast series of pulses (there are a few examples of other races S of the Amazon  showing some modulation, but never so outspoken as the sucunduri examples) (score 1-2). This would lead to a vocal score of 2-3 vs. birds S of the Amazon (and about 4 vs. birds N of the Amazon).

This note was finalized on 3rd September 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: on121_yellow-margined_flycatcher.pdf