vocal distinction of male and female Little Owls

What is it about?

The vocal distinction of male and female Little Owls (Athene noctua) -- The primary call ù Guhk" of male Little Owls functions in pair formation and territory defense. According to literature this call is uttered exclusively by the male. A similar call given by female Little Owls has been recorded on tape; both ealls were analysed by means of a sound spectrograph. In comparison to the call of the female the male's call lasted longer, the pitch being higher in the main part. The call was uttered louder and clearer by the male than by the female. During the main time of courtship the male repeated the Guhk-call orten monotonously for several minutes, whereas spacing between the notes was irregular and the number of calls given in a group varied only between three and live, or the notes occured singly when the call was uttered by the female. Because of these differences it should be possible to distinguish male and female Little Owls by their vocalizations. This can be important for census work.

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