α1-Noradrenegic receptor antagonism disrupts female songbird responses to male song

Female songbirds respond behaviorally to differences in male song structure. Past data suggest a complex role for norepinephrine in female responses to song. Here, we examined the effects of central infusions of the α1-noradrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin on female European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) responses to nest boxes broadcasting male song. Prazosin disrupted female preferential responses to male starling song over the less biologically relevant purple martin (Progne subis) song. Prazosin decreased female responses to male starling song in a linear dose–response fashion; whereas, it affected responses to purple martin song in a U-shaped dose–response fashion. Results suggest that the role of norepinephrine in female responses to male song differs depending upon drug dose and the biological relevance of the song stimulus.

► Female starlings selectively approached male starling over purple martin song.
► The α1-noradrenegic receptor antagonist prazosin disrupted these selective responses.
► Prazosin reduced female responses to starling song in a linear dose–response fashion.
► Prazosin affected responses to purple martin song in a U-shaped dose–response fashion.
► Norepinephrine plays a complex regulatory role in female responses to male song.