Vocalizations of Male Euplectes in Captivity1

Abstract

The dramatic visual displays of Euplectes .male..male. have led to their vocalizations being neglected. Six .male..male. of E. franciscanus and E. afer, and 2 E. hordeaceus .male..male. were kept in aviaries in sound-proof rooms, where vocalizations were recorded during observations of their behavior, and later analyzed on a sound spectrograph. The calls described and illustrated do not represent the complete repertoire of these species. The distinctive songs of E. afer and E. franciscanus indicate that detailed field studies of vocalization in this genus are required.