Hard of hearing: the effect of distance and experimental noise on mountain chickadee song transmission

ABSTRACT Urban noise can disrupt avian communication networks, resulting in reduced communication among individuals. Mountain chickadees alter their vocalisations in areas of high ambient noise; however, it is unknown how audible their signals are within the nest cavity, where the female remains during dawn signalling. To test the relative audibility of songs within the nest box of urban and rural chickadees, we conducted a playback experiment directed at empty nest boxes using an autonomous recording unit above the box with external microphones and an internal microphone inside the nest box. We placed a speaker 25-75 m from the nest box and played two playback files of mountain chickadee songs – one with added noise and one without. Songs had a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in rural habitats and in ‘Without Added Noise’ treatments, however, SNR decreased with increasing distance from the nest box. The lower frequency song notes had a lower SNR inside the nest in both treatment types. As expected, noise and distance resulted in decreased SNR of chickadee songs within the nest cavity. These findings suggest a possible constraint in urban birds requiring them to reduce their distance from the nest to ensure audibility to the female while in noise.