Short Communications 
The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 123 ( 3 ): 603 - 608 , 2011 
Vocal Repertoire of the Yellow-Faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops) 
Carlos B. de Araujo , 14 Luiz Octavio Marcondes-Machado , 2 and Jacques M. E. Vielliard 2 ’ 3 
ABSTRACT —We describe the vocal repertoire of 
the Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops) from 
recorded vocalizations and also flock sizes in Brasilia 
l Brazil) during 2006. Vocal communication signals are 
both long-range and short-range sounds. We describe 
seven call types: flight call (long-range), long-range 
alarm call, congregation call (long-range), two agonistic 
calls (long-rungc/short-range). sentinel call (short- 
range). and a short-range alarm call. The flight call is 
equivalent to the functional song and contains the 
species-specific recognition code. Flight calls may also 
be uttered when perched and. when in quick series, 
function as long-range alarm calls. Long-range alarm 
calls become a high intensity congregation signal when 
several individuals overlap and, despite degradation and 
attenuation, may contain the specics-specific code over 
distances of 800 nt. The average (±SD) feeding flock 
size was 7.7 ± 8.2 individuals (n = lib) while the 
roosting flock size was 79.1 ± 10.5 individuals (m = 7). 
Short-range calls maintain communication while min¬ 
imizing detection. High intensity vocalizations allow 
long-range communication, improving feeding efficien¬ 
cy through use of large ureas and stimulating late 
altemoon roost congregations. Low intensity voeulizu- 
tions maintain communications without providing the 
position of the parrot. Received 22 June 2010. Accepted 
9 February 2011. 
Communication, as defined by Weaver (1949). 
is the procedure in which one mind may affect 
another. This broad definition is useful for 
communication studies, as it presumes a response 
by the message recipient, which may at times be 
observed and confirmed. Thus, it is possible to 
describe the meaning of a message by observing 
'he behavioral responses to specific calls and. by 
recording these calls, the acoustical code. 
Psittacids may use acoustical communication to 
signal danger, resource availability, flight cohe¬ 
sion. social status, congregation, and individual 
PPG-Ecologia, Institute) de Biologia, UNICAMP. Caixa 
h'sml 6109, Campinas. SP 13083-970, Brazil. 
Departamento dc Biologia Animal, lnstitutode Biologia. 
LWICAMP, Caixa Postal 6109. Campinas. SP 13083-970. 
Brazil. 
1 Deceased. 
J Corresponding author; e-mail: cabarau@gmail.com 
signature (Fernandez-Juricic et al. 1998a, b; 
Femandez-Juricic and Martella 2000; Wanker 
and Fischer 2001; Marler 2004; Moura 2007). 
Vocal repertoire descriptions ol Blue-crowned 
Parakeet (Aratinga aculicaudata) and Turquoise- 
fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva ) in Argentina 
(Femandez-Juricic et al. 1998a. b; Femandez- 
Juricic and Martella 2000) reveal a communica¬ 
tion system in which each vocalization has a 
specific function such as alarm, contact, agonistic 
interactions, and flying. The Orange-winged 
Amazon (A. atnazoriicd) has similar vocal reper¬ 
toire components (Moura 2007). For instance, 
there are three kinds of alarm calls with specific 
contexts: indication of predator location, indica¬ 
tion to a nesting partner that it should not leave 
the nest due to a threat, or a simple fly-away 
message. 
Psittacids present great flock size variation 
throughout the year. Nesting pairs are usually 
isolated until gathering after reproduction (Seixas 
2009, Moura et al. 2010). Flock size variation 
may even occur during die day to improve feeding 
efficiency (Chapman et al. 1989; Paranhos et al. 
2007. 2009; Seixas 2009; Tubelis 2009), as small 
flocks may be more efficient in resource-limited 
localities. However, these birds roost in great 
numbers at night (Carrara et al. 2007). This brings 
the necessity of an efficient way of flock 
congregation and several species use special calls 
to congregate at sheltered roosting places (Marler 
2004). 
The Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops ) 
is a Cerrado endemic with a wide distribution 
from the southern part ot the State of Maranhao 
throughout central Brazil to north ot the states of 
Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. and Bolivia 
(Forshaw 1989). Vielliard (1994) analyzed the 
flight call of this species for phylogeny purposes, 
but a complete analysis of its repertoire has not 
been completed. Communication may have an 
important role on how parrots use habitats, and it 
is important to know the function of the vocal 
repertoire in the wild. Our objectives were to: (1) 
describe the vocal repertoire of the species, and 
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