Research Group Communication and Social Behaviour

Bird song is one of the most widely used models to study sexual selection and communication in animals. The research of our group addresses the mechanisms and the behavioural ecology of bird song following a problem guided approach. We are interested in how birds use their songs to exchange information and how their signals are adapted to the environment. Moreover, our group investigates whether and how female choice and male-male competition affect the use and characteristics of bird song and, on the other hand, which selective forces constrain song production. We also study the interplay of production learning and environmental influences during vocal ontogeny.

The overall aim is to bridge proximate mechanisms and the behavioural ecology of sexual signals by relating song production to endocrine mechanisms and metabolic costs, as well as to individual fitness. To achieve this goal, bioacoustic, endocrinological and energetic methods are used.

Empirical work involves laboratory-based investigations as well as field studies in Germany, France, the Netherlands and the UK. The main focus of our research is on communication and social behaviour in birds, but selected research questions also comprise comparative studies in primates and insects.