The male superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) uses vocal displays when encountering rival males or
before mating. 70% of the superb lyrebirds repertoire consists of imitations
from approximately 20 different species of neighbouring birds (Dalziell &
Magrath, 2012). As the receivers are either rival males or potential mates,
Dalziell & Magrath (2012) strongly suggest that the mimetic vocalizations
are a sexually selected trait.
Because of this, large repertoires may be more favourable by
selection than mimicry, as a wider variety of songs give the superb lyrebird
increased mate choice and territorial defence. However, obtaining a large
repertoire would require mimicry as a shortcut (Dalziell & Magrath, 2012).
As I’ve already mentioned in my previous post (Vocal Mimicry: Accuracy vs Versatility) superb lyrebirds are highly accurate mimics. Coleman and
colleagues (2007), in their study of satin bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchus
violaceus), suggest that high accuracy is driven by female preferences in
complex mating displays. A correlation can be made about mating success and
accuracy, as modification of vocal motor patterns, and learning and refinement
of displays as a juvenile is required for mimetic accuracy (Coleman et al. 2007).
To date, only two studies
have been successfully conducted on the mimetic accuracy of this species, so
conclusive information is limited, but not unknown.
Dalziell & Magrath (2012) found that there is strong
selection favouring accuracy rather than large repertoires in order for mating
success, and that a species can decipher signal structure and contextual learning
to distinguish between the model and imitations.
Quality over quantity.
References:
Coleman, S.W., Patricelli, G.L., Coyle, B., Siani, J. &
Borgia, G. 2007, "Female preferences drive the evolution of mimetic
accuracy in male sexual displays", Biology Letters, vol. 3, no. 5, pp.
463-466.
Dalziell, A.H. & Magrath, R.D.
2012, "Fooling the experts: accurate vocal mimicry in the song of the
superb lyrebird, Menura novaehollandiae", Animal Behaviour, vol. 83, no.
6, pp. 1401-1410.