Decoupled Acoustic and Visual Components in the Multimodal Signals of the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)

Because of its parasitic habits, reproduction costs the common cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ) are mostly spent in pre-laying activities. Female limited to searching host nests and laying eggs, whereas, males spend time performing intense vocal displays, possibly with territorial purpose. This last aspect, together a sexual plumage dimorphism, points both intra- inter-sexual selections operating within this species. One element triggering selection is differential fitness accrued by different phenotypes. Before analyzing possible mechanisms cuckoos, it therefore necessary verify whether there variability among male secondary characters describing quantifying them. Here we aimed quantitatively characterize main two potential candidates traits, i.e., calls shown at perches. During 2019 breeding season, site Po Plain, audio video recorded five We analyzed acoustic variables as well display sequences for correlations. found significant variation that could be clustered into four types. also no visual displays were associated displays; either motionless or soundless active. discuss our results under perspective value brood parasites role habit.