Re-examining hidden fitness: Female preferences for long-path songs in zebra finches

TL;DR

This study replicates and extends a previous finding that female zebra finches prefer songs with longer path lengths, addressing earlier methodological concerns.

Contribution

A preregistered replication and extension of a controversial finding on song preference in zebra finches.

Findings

Replication of the preference for long path length songs in zebra finches.

Evaluation of the robustness and generality of the original finding.

Addressing methodological limitations of the 2024 study.

Abstract

Female songbirds can evaluate male quality from secondary sexual characteristics such as songs. Studies have shown mixed findings on which acoustic features contribute to song attractiveness. In a 2024 study, Alam and colleagues introduced a holistic measure of song called “path length” and found that female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) prefer long path length songs as compared to short path length songs. The original female-playback study was criticized for design limitations, notably its small sample size, and pseudoreplication. Here, we conducted a preregistered replication and extension study of the female preference for long vs. short path length songs. Our study will evaluate the robustness and generality of this preference.

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