# 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.

## Key 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.