Bird vocalizations during spring migration on a small Mediterranean island (Ventotene, Italy)
By: Jan Giordano, Maia Pastres, Sara Riello and Giuseppe Vecchio
References
- Adriaens, P., Alfrey, P., Gibbins, C. & López-Velasco, D. 2020. Identification of Azores Gull. – Dutch Birding 42: 303–334.
- Aymí, R., Gargallo, G., Christie, D. A., Garcia, E., Boesma, P. F. D. & Kirwan, G. M. 2024. Eastern Subalpine Warbler (Curruca cantillans), version 1.1. – In: Kirwan, G. M. (ed.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow.easwar1.01.1
- Baccetti, N., Fracasso, N. & C.O.I. 2021. CISO-COI Check-list of Italian birds – 2020. – Avocetta 45: 21–85.
- Baker, M. C. & Cunningham, M. A. 1985. The Biology of Bird-Song Dialects. – Cambridge University Press
- Ballintijn, M. R. & Ten Cate, C. 1999. Variation in number of elements in the perch-coo vocalization of the Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and what it may tell about the sender. – Behaviour 136(7): 847–64.
- Balsby, T. J. S. & Dabelsteen, T. 2003. Male singing behaviour and female presence in the territory in Whitethroats Sylvia communis. – Acta Ethologica 5: 81–88. DOI: 10.1007/s10211-002-0068-z
- Barboutis, C., Navarrete, E., Karris, G., Xirouchakis, S., Fransson, T. & Bounas, A. 2022. Arriving depleted after crossing of the Mediterranean: obligatory stopover patterns underline the importance of Mediterranean islands for migrating birds. – Animal Migration 9(1): 14–23. DOI: 10.1515/ami-2022-0117
- Bardeli, R., Wolff, D., Kurth, F., Koch, M., Tauchert, K. H. & Frommolt, K. H. 2010. Detecting bird sounds in a complex acoustic environment and application to bioacoustic monitoring. – Pattern Recognition Letters 31(12): 1524–34. DOI: 10.1016/j.patrec.2009.09.014
- Bastian, H. V. & Bastian, A. 2024. European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), version 3.0. – In: Billerman, S. M. & Keeney, B. K. (eds.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow.eubeat1.03
- Battisti, C. & Zullo, F. 2019. A recent colonizer bird as indicator of human-induced landscape change: Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) in a small Mediterranean island. – Regional Environmental Change 19(7): 2113–2121. DOI: 10.1007/s10113-019-01547-y
- Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D. & Hill, D. A. 1992. Bird Census Techniques. – Cambridge University Press
- Bot, S., Groenendijk, D. & Van Oosten, H. 2014. Eastern Yellow Wagtails in Europe: identification and vocalisations. – Dutch Birding 36: 295–311.
- Bota, G., Traba, J., Sardà-Palomera, F., Giralt, D. & Pérez-Granados, C. 2020. Acoustic monitoring of diurnally migrating European Bee-eaters agrees with data derived from citizen science. – Ardea 108(2): 139–49. DOI: 10.5253/arde.v108i2.a3
- Brambilla, M. & Guidali, F. 2005. Quando la voce è tutto: l’identificazione delle sottospecie di sterpazzolina Sylvia cantillans [When the voice is everything: the identification of the subspecies of the Sylvia cantillans]. – Avocetta 29(2): 154. (in Italian)
- Brichetti, P., Saino, N. & Canova, L. 1986. Immigrazione ed espansione della Tortora dal collare orientale Streptopelia decaocto in Italia [Immigration and expansion of the Oriental Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto in Italy]. – Avocetta 10: 45–49. (in Italian)
- Brunelli, M., Sarrocco, S., Corbi, F., Sorace, A., Boano, A., De Felici, S., Guerrieri, G., Meschini, A. & Roma, S. 2011. Nuovo Atlante degli Uccelli Nidificanti nel Lazio [New Atlas of Nesting Birds in Lazio]. – Edizioni ARP (Agenzia Regionale Parchi) (in Italian)
- Bruni, A., Mennill, D. J. & Foote, J. R. 2014. Dawn chorus start time variation in a temperate bird community: relationships with seasonality, weather, and ambient light. – Journal of Ornithology 155(4): 877–890. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-014-1071-7
- Calvi, G., Campedelli, T., Florenzano, G. T. & Rossi, P. 2018. Evaluating the benefits of agri-environment schemes on farmland bird communities through a common species monitoring programme. A case study in northern Italy. – Agricultural Systems Elsevier 160: 60–69. DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2017.09.002
- Capizzi, D., Sposimo, P., Sozio, G., Fratini, S., Zanet, S., Biondo, C., Romano, A., Dell’Agnello, F., Baccetti, N. & Petrassi, F. 2024. For birds and humans: challenges and benefits of rat eradication from an inhabited island (Ventotene, central Italy). – Pest Management Science 80(11): 5510–5518. DOI: 10.1002/ps.7947
- Carlier, P. 1995. Vocal communication in Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus during breeding. – Ibis 137(4): 582–585. DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.1995.tb03269.x
- Catchpole, C. K. 1983. Variation in the song of the Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus in relation to mate attraction and territorial defence. – Animal Behaviour 31(4): 1217–1225. DOI: 10.1016/S0003-3472(83)80028-1
- Catchpole, C. K. 1986. Song repertoires and reproductive success in the Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus. – Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 19(6): 439–445. DOI: 10.1007/BF00300547
- Cecere, J., Cornara, L., Spina, F., Imperio, S. & Boitani, L. 2011. Birds outnumber insects in visiting Brassica flowers on Ventotene island (central Mediterranean). – Vie et Milieu – Life and Environment 61(3): 145–150. Clement, P., del Hoyo, J., Collar, N., Kirwan, G. M. & Christie, D. A. 2020. Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), version 1.0. – In: Billerman, S. M., Keeney, B. K., Rodewald, P. G. & Schulenberg, T. S. (eds.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow.comchi1.01
- Collar, N. 2024. Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), version 1.1. – In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D. A., de Juana, E. & Billerman, S. M. (eds.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow.blared1.01.1
- Collar, N. & Christie, D. A. 2020. Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), version 1.0. – In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D. A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow.eurbla.01
- Dabelsteen, T. 1984. An analysis of the full song of the Blackbird Turdus merula with respect to message coding and adaptations for acoustic communication. – Ornis Scandinavica 15(4): 227–239. DOI: 10.2307/3675931 Dabelsteen, T. 1988. The meaning of the full song of the Blackbird Turdus merula to untreated and estradiol treated females. – Ornis Scandinavica 19(1): 7–16. DOI: 10.2307/3676520
- Farnsworth, A., Gauthreaux, Jr. S. A. & Blaricom, D. V. 2004. A comparison of nocturnal call counts of migrating birds and reflectivity measurements on Doppler radar. – Journal of Avian Biology 35(4): 365–369. DOI: 10.1111/j.0908-8857.2004.03180.x
- Flack, A., Aikens, E. O., Kölzsch, A., Nourani, E., Snell, K. R. S., Fiedler, W., Linek, N., Bauer, H.-G., Thorup, K., Partecke, J., Wikelski, M. & Williams, H. J. 2022. New frontiers in bird migration research. – Current Biology 32(20): 1187–1199. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.028
- Frommolt, K. H. & Tauchert, K. H. 2014. Applying bioacoustic methods for long-term monitoring of a nocturnal wetland bird. – Ecological Informatics 21: 4–12. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2013.12.009
- Fornasari, L., Gustin, M., Carini, R. & Maselli, M. 2018. Migration patterns of Blackbird Turdus merula in northern Italy: a morphological and capture-recapture approach. – Ringing & Migration 33(2): 68–74. DOI: 10.1080/03078698.2019.1697067
- Gelter, H. P. 1987. Song differences between the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, the Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis, and their hybrids. – Ornis Scandinavica 18(3): 205–215.
- Goymann, W., Spina, F., Ferri, A. & Fusani, L. 2010. Body fat influences departure from stopover sites in migratory birds: evidence from whole-island telemetry. – Biology Letters 6(4): 478–81. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.1028
- Gregory, R. D., Gibbons, D. W. & Donald, P. F. 2004. Bird census and survey techniques. – In: Sutherland, W. J., Newton, I. & Green, R. (eds.) 2004. Bird Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques. – Oxford University Press
- Hahn, S., Bauer, S. & Liechti, F. 2009. The natural link between Europe and Africa – 2.1 billion birds on migration. – Oikos 118(4): 624–626. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2008.17309.x
- Higuchi, H. 2012. Bird migration and the conservation of the global environment. – Journal of Ornithology 153(Suppl.1): 3–14. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-011-0768-0
- Jensen, K. K. & Klokker, S. 2006. Hearing sensitivity and critical ratios of Hooded Crows (Corvus corone cornix). – The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 119(2): 1269–1276. DOI: 10.1121/1.2159431
- Jensen, K. K., Larsen, O. N. & Attenborough, K. 2008. Measurements and predictions of Hooded Crow (Corvus corone cornix) call propagation over open field habitats. – The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 123(1): 507–518. DOI: 10.1121/1.2817363
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2024. Raven Pro: Interactive Sound Analysis Software (Version 1.6.5). – Ithaca, NY: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology https://www.ravensoundsoftware.com/
- Kirwan, G. M., David, T. S., Pyle, P., Sharpe, C. J. & Garcia, E. 2024. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis), version 1.1. – In: Keeney, B. K. & Kirwan, G. M. (eds.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow.yelgul1.01.1
- Lardelli, R., Bogliani, G., Brichetti, P., Caprio, E., Celada, C., Conca, G., Fraticelli, F., Gustin, M., Janni, O., Pedrini, P., Puglisi, L., Rubolini, D., Ruggieri, L., Spina, F., Tinarelli, R., Calvi, G. & Brambilla, M. 2022. – Atlante degli Uccelli nidificanti in Italia [Atlas of Nesting Birds in Italy]. – Edizioni Belvedere (in Italian)
- Lei, F., Zhao, H., Wang, A., Yin, Z. & Payne, R. B. 2005. Vocalizations of the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) in China. – Acta Zoologica Sinica 51(1): 31–37.
- Leseberg, N. P., Venables, W. N., Murphy, S. A. & Watson, J. E. M. 2020. Using intrinsic and contextual information associated with automated signal detections to improve call recognizer performance: A case study using the cryptic and critically endangered Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis. – Methods in Ecology and Evolution 11: 1520–1530. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.13475
- Luschi, P. 1993. Improvisation of new notes during singing by male Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala. – Bioacoustics 4(4): 235–244. DOI: 10.1080/09524622.1993.10510435
- Maggini, I., Trez, M., Cardinale, M. & Fusani, L. 2020. Stopover dynamics of 12 passerine migrant species in a small Mediterranean island during spring migration. – Journal of Ornithology 161(3): 793–802. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-020-01768-7
- Manica, M., Riello, S., Scagnolari, C. & Caputo, B. 2020. Spatio-temporal distribution of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens along an urban-natural gradient in the Ventotene Island, Italy. – International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(22): 8300. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228300
- Manzano-Rubio, R., Bota, G., Brotons, L., Soto-Largo, E. & Pérez-Granados, C. 2022. Low-cost open-source recorders and ready-to-use machine learning approaches provide effective monitoring of threatened species. – Ecological Informatics 72: 101910. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101910
- Montemaggiori, A. & Spina, F. 2002. Il Progetto Piccole Isole (PPI): uno studio su ampia scala della migrazione primaverile attraverso il Mediterraneo [The Progetto Piccole Isole (PPI): a large-scale study of spring migration across the Mediterranean]. – In: Brichetti, P. & Gariboldi, A. (eds.) Manuale di ornitologia, 3. – Edagricole, Milan (in Italian)
- Moreno-Opo, R., Núñez, J. & Pina Macías, M. 2018. European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) and apiculture: understanding their interactions and the usefulness of nonlethal techniques to prevent damage at apiaries. – European Journal of Wildlife Research 64: 55. DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1215-9
- Morganti, M., Mellone, U., Bogliani, G., Saino, N., Ferri, A., Spina, F. & Rubolini, D. 2011. Flexible tuning of departure decisions in response to weather in Black Redstarts Phoenicurus ochruros migrating across the Mediterranean Sea. – Journal of Avian Biology 42(4): 323–334. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-048X.2011.05331.x
- Moskát, C., Elek, Z., Bán, M., Geltsch, N. & Hauber, M. E. 2017. Can Common Cuckoos discriminate between neighbours and strangers by their calls? – Animal Behaviour 126: 253–260. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.02.013
- Mota, P. G. 1999. The functions of song in the Serin. – Ethology 105(2): 137–148. DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0310.1999.00366.x
- Mota, P. G. & Cardoso, G. 2001. Song organisation and patterns of variation in the Serin (Serinus serinus). – Acta Ethologica 3: 141–150. DOI: 10.1007/s102110000034
- Naguib, M., Hammerschmidt, K. & Wirth, J. 2001. Microgeographic variation, habitat effects and individual signature cues in calls of Chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita canarensis. – Ethology 107(4): 341–355. DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0310.2001.00669.x
- Naguib, M., Mundry, R., Hultsch, H. & Todt, D. 2002. Responses to playback of whistle songs and normal songs in male Nightingales: effects of song category, whistle pitch, and distance. – Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 52(3): 216–223. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-002-0511-1
- Nice, M. M. 1941. The Role of territory in bird life. – The American Midland Naturalist 26(3): 441–487. DOI: 10.2307/2420732
- Panuccio, M., Martín, B., Morganti, M., Onrubia, A. & Ferrer, M. 2017. Long-term changes in autumn migration dates at the Strait of Gibraltar reflect population trends of soaring birds. – Ibis 159(1): 55–65. DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12420
- Pérez-Granados, C., Bota, G., Giralt, D., Barrero, A., Gómez-Catasús, J., Bustillo-de la Rosa, D. & Traba, J. 2019. Vocal activity rate index: a useful method to infer terrestrial bird abundance with acoustic monitoring. – Ibis 161(4): 901–907. DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12728
- Petrusková, T., Kahounová, H., Pišvejcová, I., Čermáková, A., Brinke, T., Burton, N. H. K. & Petrusek, A. 2021. Evaluating the potential effects of capturing and handling on subsequent observations of a migratory passerine through individual acoustic monitoring. – Journal of Avian Biology 52(6): e02739. DOI: 10.1111/jav.02739
- Petrusková, T., Osiejuk, T. S. & Petrusek, A. 2010. Geographic variation in songs of the Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) at two spatial scales. – The Auk 127(2): 274–282. DOI: 10.1525/auk.2009.09077
- Pretto, F., Celesti-Grapow, L., Carli, E. & Blasi, C. 2010. Influence of past land use and current human disturbance on non-native plant species on small Italian islands. – Plant Ecology 210(2): 225–239. DOI: 10.1007/s11258-010-9751-8
- QGIS.org. 2025. QGIS Geographic Information System. – QGIS Association http://www.qgis.org
- Romagosa, C. M. & Mlodinow, S. G. 2022. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), version 1.1. – In: Pyle, P., Rodewald, A. D. & Billerman, S. M. (eds.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow.eucdov.01.1
- Rose, E. M., Prior, N. H. & Ball, G. F. 2022. The singing question: re-conceptualizing birdsong. – Biological Reviews 97(1): 326–342. DOI: 10.1111/brv.12800
- Sanders, C. & Mennil, D. J. 2014. Acoustic monitoring of nocturnally migrating birds accurately assesses the timing and magnitude of migration through the Great Lakes. – Ornithological Applications 116(3): 371–383. DOI: 10.1650/CONDOR-13-098.1
- Schwilch, R., Mantovani, R., Spina, F. & Jenni, L. 2001. Nectar consumption of warblers after long-distance flights during spring migration. – Ibis 143(1): 24–32. DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2001.tb04166.x
- Spector, D. A. 1994. Definition in biology: The case of “Bird Song”. – Journal of Theoretical Biology 168(4): 373–381. DOI: 10.1006/jtbi.1994.1117
- Spina, F., Massi, A., Montemaggiori, A. & Baccetti, N. 1993. Spring migration across central Mediterranean: general results from the “Progetto Piccole Isole”. – Vogelwarte 37: 1–94.
- Tenan, S. & Spina, F. 2010. Timing and condition-related effects on recapture probability, mass change, and stopover length of spring migrating songbirds on a small Mediterranean island. – Ardeola 57(1): 121–132.
- Tyler, S. 2020. Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis), version 1.0. – In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D. A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) Birds of the World. – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. DOI: 10.2173/bow. trepip.01
- Wrege, P. H. & Cade, T. J. 1997. Courtship behavior of large falcons in captivity. – Journal of Raptor Research 11(1–2): 1–46.
- Wroza, S. 2024. Identifying Migratory Birds by Sound in Britain and Europe. – Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London
- Xia, C., Deng, Z., Lloyd, H., Møller, A. P., Zhao, X. & Zhang, Y. 2019. The function of three main call types in Common Cuckoo. – Ethology 125(9): 652–659. DOI: 10.1111/eth.12918
Language: English
Page range: 269 - 289
Submitted on: Jan 21, 2025
Accepted on: Dec 3, 2025
Published on: Jun 6, 2026
Published by: MME/BirdLife Hungary
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year
Related subjects:
© 2026 Jan Giordano, Maia Pastres, Sara Riello, Giuseppe Vecchio, published by MME/BirdLife Hungary
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.