The vocal repertoire of chipmunks (Genus Eutamias) in California

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Abstract

A study of the vocalizations of chipmunks was conducted in the field and laboratory, utilizing sonagrams made from tape recordings, and observational data. Most observations were made on Eutamias townsendii, but interspecific variation in alarm calls was studied in all ten California species of Eutamias. The vocal repertoire of Eutamias includes several alarm calls: the chip, chuck, chippering, and in some species also the trill, and in others the whistle. Other calls include the agonistic chatter, courtship chatter, growl, and squeal. The chip is the most common call. There is consistent interspecific variation in structure and temporal arrangement of chips. Most of this variation correlates with body size.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)319-335
Number of pages17
JournalAnimal Behaviour
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1976

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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