Characteristics of Vitelline Warbler songs and calls

Abstract

The Vitelline Warbler (Setophaga vitellina) is an understudied species endemic to a few small islands in the western Caribbean. Little is known beyond its phylogenetic relationship to other New World warblers. We used island-wide surveys and bioacoustic recordings to investigate the distribution, vocalizations, and ecology of S. vitellina across a significant portion of the species range on Little Cayman Island. We recorded 417 songs from 91 individuals and analyzed the length, frequency, and shape of various song components. We observed and characterized high variation in the composition and character of songs. We also describe the call of the species, document an association with gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba) trees, and report interactions with other bird species. Improved knowledge of Vitelline Warblers has value for evaluating conservation threats to an island endemic and for understanding the evolution of vocalization behavior in Neotropical songbirds.