Bird song has two key functions: attraction and competition. The structures of these songs have been
shaped by both intra- and intersexual selection. Accordingly, there are some species that appear to use different parts of
song to attract females and repel males. Alongside this functional separation, the structure of song can also have
significant divergence. We studied the songs from 32 individuals of
Phoenicurus auroreus
, recorded in Beijing
Xiaolongmen forest Park during the 2011 breeding season. The song of
Phoenicurus auroreus consists of two distinct
parts, a stereotyped and variable part. Significant differences between these two parts were observed between all the
variables we measured. Based on the stereotyped part, the rate of correct individual identification is satisfactory, and most
of songs can be correctly classified.
