As endangered birds lose their songs, they can't find mates

[Judi Lynn]

CHRISTINA LARSON,
AP Science Writer
March 16, 2021
Updated: March 16, 2021 7:07 p.m.



This 2016 photo provided by Murray Chambers shows a male regent honeyeater bird in Capertee Valley in New South Wales, Australia. The distinctive black and yellow birds were once common across Australia, but habitat loss since the 1950s has shrunk their population to only about 300 wild birds today. (Murray Chambers via AP)Murray Chambers/AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Male songbirds usually learn their tunes from adult mentors. But when aspiring crooners lack proper role models, they hit all the wrong notes — and have less success attracting mates.

For five years, ecologist Ross Crates has tracked the singing ability and breeding success of critically endangered regent honeyeaters. These distinctive black and yellow birds were once common across Australia, but habitat loss since the 1950s has shrunk their population to only about 300 or 400 wild birds today.

While male birds once formed large winter flocks, now they are sparsely distributed across the landscape, so many fly solo. That means fewer honeyeater mentors are nearby during young birds’ impressionable first year.

“Song learning in many birds is a process similar to humans learning languages — they learn by listening to other individuals,” said Crates, who is based at Australian National University.

More:
https://www.chron.com/news/article/As-endangered-birds-lose-their-songs-they-can-t-16031070.php

[PortTack]

1. Makes me sooo sad!

[IbogaProject]

2. awe

reverend billy of the church of stop shopping had a radio program where he featured extinct songbird songs. That was the first time human impact on our environment really hit me emotionally rather than just mental awareness.