A comparative account of calls of common myna in different human-influenced environments

Gameti, Arpit and Sengupta, Saibal (2025) A comparative account of calls of common myna in different human-influenced environments. ECOCYCLES, 11 (1). pp. 1-10. ISSN 24162140

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Abstract

Urban environments pose novel challenges to signal communication of urban-adjusted birds. The present study compared spectral and temporal traits of Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) dwelling in semirural and urban sites in terms of low, high, and peak frequencies and syllable duration. We recorded 270 calls from approximately 224 individuals from three sites - two urban and one semirural, 90 calls from each area. We also correlated the temperature and humidity with each of these parameters using the Pearson correlation coefficient at 95% CI. Calls were found to be of higher frequencies in the metropolitan-urban area than in the semirural area. One-way ANOVA analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all call parameters among the sites. Peak frequency was found to be slightly higher in the semirural area as compared to the noisy urban site by about 45 Hz, but less as compared to the metropolitan area of Ahmedabad. Syllable duration was highest in semirural area. Temperature and humidity did not have a significant impact on birdsong (P>0.05). Our study emphasises urban environment affects both spectral and temporal traits of birdsong significantly and forms the primer for studying the effects of weather on birdsong. Urban canyon effects and urban composition have more impact on signal transmission and communication as compared to weather parameters. However, additional study will be required to emphasise the quantification of impervious surfaces and noise levels and consider recording distance while making urban and semirural comparisons.

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