Bioacoustics of Yoyetta nigrimontana

Distribution, habitat and behaviour. Known only from specimens taken from the Australia Capital Territory in the vicinity of Black Mountain and recordings obtained from Mt Majura north of Canberra ( Figure 4 ). Populations occur in cool temperate open eucalypt forest and woodland with a grass understorey. Adults sit on the main trunks and upper branches of eucalypts, occasionally also resting on artificial poles. Males call whilst stationary and also in transit. Specimens have been obtained during November and December only. Calling song. The call structure of this species comprises a simple, repeated short syllable sequence ( Figure 12 ). Each syllable sequence typically contains six to nine syllables (each syllable being 3–5 milli-seconds (ms) duration, two pulses, n = 7 recordings). The syllable repetition rate becomes progressively faster throughout the sequence. The period of silence between the first two syllables typically ranges from 20 to 27 ms duration, and the period of silence between the last two syllables ranges between 5 and 9 ms duration. Each syllable sequence is separated by a period of silence of 400 to 600 ms duration. The phrase duration for the calling song ranges from 550 to 780 ms. The frequency spectrum of the calling song ranges from 8.5 to 15 kHz, with the highest energy between 9.5 and 13 kHz, and a dominant frequency at approximately 11 kHz ( Figure 12 ).