Communication among territorial female spruce grouse

Abstract

Behaviour associated with territoriality in female Franklin's spruce grouse (Canachites canadensis franklinii) was studied during the breeding seasons of 1976 and 1977 to determine how and when these grouse communicate their location to conspecifics and what role communication has in maintaining dispersion. Field observations of marked grouse indicated that resident females advertised their presence to conspecifics and probably maintained their territories by producing both vocal and nonvocal sounds that peaked in intensity during the period of mating and laying. These sounds included a Cantus ("aggressive call") that was sung from regularly used advertising perches at dawn and dusk and flight sounds produced by flying frequently through the territory at these times. The Cantus was also used by territorial females during interactions with both trespassing nonterritorial and contiguous territorial females. The territorial behaviour of breeding females, manifested by intrasexual aggression, appeared to play a role in spacing of nests and spring dispersal of some yearlings.