REMOTE ACOUSTIC RECORDING AND MONITORING OF BIRDS AT THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS

We are using three remote audio recording systems to study bird vocalizations at different levels of organization, ranging from individuals to communities. We use > 1.0 gram acoustic radio transmitters (JDJC Inc.) to continuously record the vocalizations of individuals in their natural environment. Here we present results from a study comparing male and female song behavior in Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). We are also using a quadraphonic Soundscape Recording System (SRS,Celis Murillo et al. 2009) to record avian community vocalizations from fixed locations in a fashion analogous to point counts. We present preliminary data from a study conducted using this system in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Finally, we have developed a wireless microphone array where each microphone is placed at a fixed point and attached to a radio transmitter. Data from all microphones are simultaneously transmitted to a single receiver and then stored as synchronized wave files. The positions of vocalizing birds in the habitat are established through trilateration. This system is capable of monitoring all vocalizing individuals in a relatively large area. We present preliminary data collected with this system. We also discuss the benefits and challenges of using all of these systems to study the vocalizations of birds.