SONG IN A FEMALE PLAIN TITMOUSE

Abstract

Although females of some temperate-zone species sing regularly, in most species females do not sing. However, there have been numerous reports of singing by females that are normally non-singers (reviewed by G. Ritchison, Auk100:105–116, 1983).

In the titmouse family (Paridae), female song is common in some species and absent in others. Males of the three species of North American crested titmice—the Tufted, Plain, and Bridled Titmice (Parus bicolor, P. inornatus, P. wollweberi)—do sing well-developed true songs.