The goal of this project is to analyze the vocal patterns and interactions of a migratory population of pine warblers (Dendroica pinus) in Northern Michigan. One of the main components consists of finding how many songs each bird typically sings (in other words, evaluating each bird’s song repertoire). After solidifying each bird’s territory and song repertoire, the degree of song sharing (in which two birds sing some of the same songs) between birds with neighboring territories will be analyzed. The final goal for this project is to allow to for future comparisons to be made between the vocal interactions in this migratory population to those in a non-migratory population from the southern U.S.

It is thought that non-migratory populations of birds have larger song repertoires and exhibit song sharing more often, perhaps as a result of the relatively constant interaction that comes as a result of not migrating. As climates continue to change, the habits of many migratory species will change, especially birds. In some birds, migration distances have already noticeably decreased as a result of climate change. In extreme cases, some birds have ceased migration entirely. Changes in other behaviors, such as vocal interaction, are almost guaranteed to accompany these changes in migratory behavior. Through analysis of established differences between migratory and non-migratory populations, we can gain an insight into the changes that will accompany climate change.