Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Vocal Development

Information needed.

Vocal Array

Song. Song phrase consists of two near-identical hollow whistles. At closer examination, the second whistle is typically slightly upslurred (best seen on spectrogram looking at upper harmonics) and may have an initial hiccup whuu-hwuU. This song phrase is 1.0–1.2 s long, with the whistles at 1.1–1.3 kHz, and is given at 8–14 s intervals for several minutes at a time (6). The song has been likened to the two-noted song of Rufous-breasted Antthrush (Formicarius rufipectus) (48 Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, D. F. Lane, J. P. O'Neill, and T. A. Parker (2007). Birds of Peru. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. Close ), but the latter utters shorter more staccato notes which are higher-pitched, resulting in a phrase of only ca. 0.6 s. The song carries far, and often two countersinging birds can be heard, presumably males of adjacent territories.

Whistle call. A single, short, falling whistle, similar in pitch to the song, with a duration of 0.3‒0.4 s and repeated at 1–3 s intervals, usually in series of 4–11 notes (6). Has been transcribed as "a descending, hollow note: clew" (48 Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, D. F. Lane, J. P. O'Neill, and T. A. Parker (2007). Birds of Peru. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. Close ). Note shape on a spectrogram invariably has an initial rise after which it gradually descends 100‒300 Hz in pitch. The Whistle call is equally loud as the Song, but is heard less often.

Chuckle. A series of 3‒12 faint short notes huhuhuhuhuhu. On spectrogram, notes are dagger-shaped, have a duration of ⁓0.1 s, reach about 1,300‒1,400 Hz and are uttered at a pace of 5‒6 notes/s. This chuckle (xeno-canto: XC8982) is only heard at close range, typically after playback and/or in combination with Song.

Geographic Variation

Has not been studied, but while there is some variation in Song phrase and Whistle call among individuals, there is no indication this is linked to geographic distribution.

Phenology

Little information. In Argentina, most recordings are between August and April, while further north, more recordings are made in July–August, but this may merely reflect the timing of visiting recordists.

Daily Pattern of Vocalizing

Mainly vocal during the morning and again in late afternoon.

Places of Vocalizing

Sings from within dense vegetation. Not often seen vocalizing, but typically perches on fallen logs or low branches in thickets.

Sex Differences

Nothing known, and unknown if both males and females give Songs. More study needed.

Social Context and Presumed Functions of Vocalizations

Song has a territorial function and birds typically respond to playback by coming closer while continuing to sing. Function of Whistle call unclear. Chuckle is typically heard after playback in combination with Song. It may be a distress call or alternatively a vocalization of the female indicating its presence to the singing male bird.

None reported.