Heidi Maria Thomsen:
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Many parrots live in groups characterised by frequent changes in size and composition caused by fission and fusions of subgroups. Such fission-fusion dynamics are hypothesised to have important implications for the evolution of several aspects of their social behaviour, including how they communicate. My thesis investigates the interplay between group dynamics and vocal communication in two species of parrots, the peach-fronted conure (Eupsittula aurea) and the orange-fronted conure (Eupsittula canicularis).
More specifically, my thesis investigates three different aspects of how contact call imitation, i.e. the act of copying the contact call of another individual, may be used during fissions and fusions. Firstly, it investigates how contact call imitation affects the ability of individuals to be vocally recognisable, demonstrating the presence of reliable individual signatures in contact calls - a prerequisite for individual recognition. Secondly, it investigates the potential of unintended receivers to eavesdrop on contact call interactions, demonstrating the possible utilisation of information about contact call imitation in the flock fusion decisions of wild orange-fronted conure flocks.
Finally, it investigates how wild orange-fronted conures mediated these flock decisions by demonstrating a potential communicative mechanism for facilitating fissions and fusions. Overall, this thesis provides new insight into the interplay between flock social behaviour and vocal communication in parrots, emphasising the importance of contact call imitation in their group dynamics.