Highlights•Understanding sound production mechanisms can enhance investigation of
performance.•Performance ranges of temporal and spectral features vary with production …

Vocal responses to anthropogenic noise have been documented in several species of
songbird. However, only a few studies have investigated whether these adjustments are …

Vocal signals, including human speech and birdsong, are produced by complicated,
precisely coordinated body movements, whose execution is fitness-determining in resource …

Vocal learning in songbirds is thought to have evolved through sexual selection, with female
preference driving males to develop large and varied song repertoires,–. However, many …

Birds are vocal beings. We recognize bird species by their songs, we find them in the forest
when they call, we marvel at the beauty and musical quality of their notes and trills. But these …

Acoustic displays with difficult-to-execute sounds are often subject to strong sexual selection
because performance levels are related to the sender's condition or genetic quality …

Highlights•Birdsong is a conspicuous display used to attract mates and defend
territories.•Song amplitude is often overlooked but plays a critical role in …

The evolution of bird song is closely related to sexual selection as birds use their songs for
mate attraction and territorial defense. Recently, it has been shown that song amplitude can …

The unique avian vocal organ, the syrinx, is located at the caudal end of the trachea.
Although a larynx is also present at the opposite end, birds phonate only with the syrinx …

Highlights•Low-amplitude vocalizations are honest signals used in aggressive contests by
animals.•Here we address two questions: why are they soft, and why are they reliable?•We …