In the News
July 27, 2014
SHARE
COPY LINK
link copied to clipboard
Peter Marler, Graphic Decoder of Birdsong, Dies at 86
“Dr. Marler was one of the first ethologists to produce graphic snapshots of birdsong — streaks of ink on paper, like an electrocardiogram, showing the wave-frequency, modulation and pitch of various calls and songs.
From that data, Dr. Marler and his colleagues discovered that some species had repertoires of only a few songs while others had as many as 100. They found they could analyze and differentiate calls within the same species — calls for roosting, seeking food, mating, territory-marking, warning of danger and summoning help, known as mobbing, to ward off an intruder.”
Explore:
Get our newsletter
The latest science discoveries delivered monthly to your inbox.