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Japanese Robin – Songs and calls

on 17th July 2019

“As I mentioned earlier, these lovely birds are not hard to find as the song is distinctive and loud; we identified at least 6 different birds within a large forest area. Peter Clement, Chris Rose, Robins and Chats, Helm Identification Guides 2015 state that the birds sing ‘mainly May-June, occasionally to early August‘.

“The song is given by the adult males and is a territorial, advertising call. The bird tends to extend the head back and cock the tail but this is not always done. At times the tail is erect and fully open when singing. A recording of the male song is HERE.

“In the background you can hear the soft, sharp, high frequency whistle calls made by the female. The male song is a delightful, loud rattle that has between 11-22 notes, often 13-14 (sample: 11, 22, 14, 14, 14, 13, 13, 15, 21, 12). The song is repeated very 7-10 seconds (sample: 10, 7, 10, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9). An average sonogram and waveform is given above. Note that the introductory note is different from the rest. The song, although sounding similar, is very variable in pitch and quality. In this recording, I have extracted 7 songs that, to my ear, have variations, Sonogram and waveform is shown below. Note that the ‘thickness’ of the note varies on waveform as does the structure on sonograms. A lot more work needs to go into analysing this male song and the many variation that are rendered and their purpose.

“In this other recording, I have removed the loud male song so as to enable amplification of the softer adult female’s calls. The main call made by the female is a high frequency whistle that is often made in three notes that last 2-3 seconds (Sonogram and waveform given below). These calls are repeated every 4-6 seconds. Occasionally, just after the whistles, she gives a soft rattle song, very much like the male’s, but it very is hard to appreciate without amplification.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
10th June 2019

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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