Methodology
Methodology Description
Here we describe a dataset of behavioral recordings of mixed-sex zebra finch pairs. Nine experiment instances were recorded. Each instance is a recording of video, audio, and animal-borne vibration signals over 12-14 days of a mixed-sex zebra finch pair. We used male and female adult zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) raised in our breeding facilities in Zürich. During the experiment, birds were housed in mixed sex pairs in a homecage that was contained in a sound isolating recording chamber on a 14/10 h day/night cycle. The male and female bird did not know each other before the experiment started. Access to food and water was provided ad libitum. The light in the recording chamber was faded in in the morning and faded out in the evening. On each bird, we mounted a transmitter device, and we kept them in the BirdPark on a 14/10 h light/dark daily cycle, with food and water provided ad libitum.
Equipment Used
We installed four microphones on the four side walls of the isolation chamber and one microphone on the ceiling. We mounted two more microphones in the nest boxes and one microphone outside the isolation chamber. Where possible, we covered the sidewalls of the chamber with sound-absorbing foam panels. A door sensor measures whether the door of the chamber is open or closed. The temperature inside the chamber was roughly 26 °C and the humidity was roughly 24%. Moreover, all animals wear a miniature low-power transmitter device that transmits body vibrations from a firmly attached accelerometer via an analog, frequency-modulated (FM) radio signal that we receive with several antennas. To visualize the arena, we used industrial cameras (3 Megapixel, MP) with zoom lenses (opening angles: top view: 45 ° x 26 °, back view: 55 ° x 26 °, side view: 26 ° x 35 °) and exposure times of 3 ms. To visualize nests in the dimly lit nest boxes, we used monochrome infrared cameras (2 MP, Basler daA1600-60um) and fisheye lenses (143 ° x 112 °).With the cameras, we filmed the arena directly from the top and indirectly from two sides via two tilted mirrors in front of the glass side panels.
References
https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.09.23.509166
Species Information
Focal Species
Zebrafinch(Taeniopygia castanotis)
Expected Species
Zebra finch (Taeniopygia castanotis)
Background Species and Noise
Besides the vocalizations, recordings also contain other sounds produced by that animal such as wing flaps, tail shakes, and sounds elicited when the animal interacted with the environment (e.g. pecking on the floor) and phsically with other individuals.
Key Visual Characteristics
Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are small songbirds measuring 10–12 cm in length and weighing around 12–15 grams. They exhibit striking sexual dimorphism, with males featuring bright orange cheek patches, black-and-white barred throats, and chestnut-colored flank patches, while females are more subdued in coloration, lacking these bold patterns.
Vocal Repertoire
Songs: Zebra finch songs often start with a series of repeated brief introductory notes followed by repeated song motifs. Song motifs are composed of stereotyped sequences of song syllables separated by short gaps. Each song syllable features a distinct spectro-temporal sound pattern. In an adult, there is little variability across different renditions of a given song syllable. In a juvenile, song syllables are much more variable without any clearly discernable types. Juveniles gradually refine their vocalizations during development until they achieve a crystallized adult song that resembles their tutor's song. Calls: All vocalizations that are not part of a song are called calls. Calls tend to be simpler in their acoustic structure compared to song syllables, and most calls are composed of harmonic sounds. A call could be produced in isolation or as part of a repetitive sequence of calls.
Habitat
Zebra finches are small songbirds native to Australia. Zebra finches are a highly social species living in colonies ranging from a few pairs to over 100 individuals.
Individual Identification
I will annotate all individuals