Voice-printing the Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)

Authors

  • Dennis F. Jones Scientific Consultant, 38 Columbo Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2X 3L8, Canada

Keywords:

Computer software, Spectrum analysis, Stereophonic recordings, Video cameras, Interactive sound analysis, Sampling rate, Video cassettes

Abstract

A database of voice-prints for individual Hermit Thrush birds was developed and used to acoustically identify them from one breeding season to the other. A method was used to obtain audio recordings from birds in the most non-intrusive way possible. Birds that were located near roads or park trails were recorded and no birds were branded, marked, stalked, or flushed out of hiding. All the audio recordings were made using Sony digital video camera recorders and the sampling rate was 48 kHz with 16 bit quantization. The camera was pointed in the direction of the sound source when the bird was not visible. Audio files in 'wav' format were extracted from Digital 8 and Mini DV video cassettes were used by the DCR-TRV525 and DCR-VX2100 cameras. Spectral analysis was carried out using the Raven 1.2.1 interactive sound analysis software. It was found that a Hermit Thrush song began with an introductory note, followed by a series of flute-like body notes.

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Published

2006-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Jones DF. Voice-printing the Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2006 Sep. 1 [cited 2023 May 31];34(3):14-5. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/1799

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 3 (2006)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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