We have tested our assumption that infrasound from flutter jumps of displaying cocks is significant for capercaillie (
Tetrao urogallus) orientation. Seven captive females were used for playback experiments during a period when they were extremely disposed to mating and thus expected to respond intensively to signals from males. However, no behavioural response was found, neither to infrasound nor to the audible sound from flutter jumps. We suggest that flutter jumps have only visual functions and that infrasound is nothing but a physical by-product. In large mammals, also, the role of infrasound for communication is as yet uncertain.
Keywords Communication - Flutter jump - Infrasound -
Tetrao urogallus
Communicated by F. Bairlein