Notes on the vocalizations of Pectoral Sparrow (Arremon taciturnus)

In the following we briefly analyze and compare voice of the three races of Pectoral Sparrow (Arremon taciturnus). 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).

Song typically starts with a few short introductory notes and is followed by 2-4 high-pitched hissing notes. A comparison of song of the three races (illustrated with multiple sonograms in the pdf version of this note): axillaris, nominate and nigrirostris.

Song of all 3 races is structurally very similar. Race axillaris seems to reach lower frequencies, with hissing end notes typically going down to 7 - 7.5kHz. Other races have end notes staying well above 8kHz. Score 2.

This vocal difference is thus rather minor, and much less outspoken than vocal difference with Half-collared Sparrow A. semitorquatus.

This note was finalized on 25th May 2016, 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: on361_pectoral_sparrow.pdf