Vocal characteristics of the Black Wood Pigeon subspecies Columba janthina nitens endemic to the Ogasawara Islands

Abstract

The endemic subspecies of Black Wood Pigeons Columba janthina nitens of the Ogasawara Islands (known in Japanese as Akagashira-karasubato or Red-headed Wood Pigeon), is morphologically and genetically distinct from the nominate subspecies C. j. janthina (known in Japanese simply as Karasubato). However, vocal characteristics, important traits in mate selection, have not previously been well studied in this species. Therefore, the vocalizations of both captive and wild C. j. nitens and C. j. janthina from two different regions were recorded and analyzed using sound spectrograms. Our results showed that C. j. nitens differs from C. j. janthina in the type of vocalizations, the notes and frequencies of the fundamental tones, and the accentuated harmonics of the "coo" song.