Speciation of The Warbling Vireo

• Main Authors: Maygan Peck, Dr. Richard Hedley, Samuelle Simard-Provençal, Chloe Riesen-Sivard, Dr. Erin Bayne
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: WISEST; STEM; SRP; Warbling Vireo; Western North America; Bird songs; Alberta; Peace River; Canada
• Online Access: https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/f133d1a0-9c3c-4cd1-9b77-e6f7136a1be8; https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-fctm-sb68

For many years, birders have recognized that the Warbling Vireos found in Western North America sing quite a different song than those in Eastern North America. Recently, researchers from the University of Calgary, Lovell et al., (2021), have shown that these two subspecies, Eastern and Western, are genetically distinct enough to be considered separate species. Our research in the Bayne Lab this summer pinpoints the specific differences found in their songs in hopes of making field identification more reliable and consistent. Consistency in field identifications and a concrete understanding of how the songs are different would make it possible to identify the supposed contact zone in Alberta, Canada. Our data shows the specific, measurable differences in the songs of the two groups, therefore supporting speciation. We also challenge whether these differences are due to speciation or habitat structure. Our data shows that the subspecies prefer different habitat types however, their vocalizations have little disparity according to habitat. This inconsistency suggests further research, including a project in the Peace River region to look more closely at the habitat preferences and songs of genetically identified groups.