Acoustic Communication of the Black-tailed Gull(Larus crassirostris) : the Structure and Behavioral Context of Vocalizations

Vocal repertoires of the B1ack-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) were studied at established reproductive colonies. The Black-tailed gull has eleven different vocal signals which can be grouped into three different call classes according to behavioral functions: contact call, alarm call (attention call), and aggressive call. The contact call or mew call is the most frequently used and functions as means of recognition among individuals, particularly between parents and youngs. Our results show that each call plays .an important role in particular social relationships in a high- density breeding colony.