Song of the finch Lagonosticta senegala: Interspecific mimicry by its brood-parasite Vidua chalybeata and the role of song in the host's social context

The African village indigobird Vidua chalybeata mimics the song of its brood-host, the Senegal firefinch Lagonosticta senegala. Firefinches in large aviaries did not respond to mimicry of their song and calls by indigobirds in the same aviaries. The lack of agonistic reaction by the firefinches is related to the non-agonistic meaning of song in the social behaviour of the firefinches. Song was not given during experimentally induced aggressive behaviour in the firefinches, but was given during courtship and by both male and female firefinches separated from their mates. Thus the main communicative function of song in L. senegala is in pair-bond maintenance.