Raw amplitude measurements for arctic bird vocalizations from Utqiagvik, Alaska, with associated environmental data and modelling code
Data files
Sep 03, 2025 version files 107.93 KB
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birdtree_phylos.nex
54.26 KB
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raw_amplitude_measurements.csv
51.06 KB
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README.md
2.61 KB
Abstract
This dataset consists primarily of amplitude values (dBA re 20 µPa) of sounds made by birds in Utqiagvik, Alaska, during June 2-22, 2024, as measured using a LATNEX sound pressure level (SPL) meter (SM-130DB, fast time integration). Each measurement is the maximum SPL measured during an individual call or song produced by a bird. These measurements were made in the open tundra opportunistically when birds were calling in the near-field (i.e., less than 50 meters distance from the measurer). Measurements were not made when multiple animals were calling, or when other background noises (e.g., planes, cars, human voices, or wind) were present.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.q83bk3jrz
Description of the data and file structure
Files and variables
File: raw_amplitude_measurements.csv
Description: This CSV file includes the following:
Variables
- Species: species identification for the vocalizing bird
- Individual: individual identification of the vocalizing bird
- Date: date of June (e.g., 2-22) during which the measurement was made
- Distance: estimated distance (in meters) between the observer and the bird
- dBA: measured maximum SPL during an individual avian vocalization
- Wind_speed, temperature, humidity: Hourly values of these variables, as accessed using the NOAA National Center for Environmental Information Climate Data Online service, Barrow Airport station, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datasets/GHCND/stations/GHCND:USW00027502/detail. The 'daily summaries' dataset was requested using this tool, and hourly values for relevant variables were extracted manually from the resulting PDF. Units are as follows: wind speed- miles per hour, temperature- degrees Farenheit, and humidity- relative, percentage.
- Family: phylogenetic family classification of the bird
- Body mass: average species' body mass for the species in question, either from local data or the Birds of the World database, https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home. More information about these values can be found in the manuscript associated with this dataset.
- Habitat: general habitat for the species in question, as listed in the Birds of the World database
- Env_noise: estimated environmental noise (dBA) before each vocalization
- Type: type of vocalization measured, 'breeding display', 'general call', or 'territory defense call'
File: birdtree_phylos.nex
Description: Nexus file including 100 randomly chosen phylogenetic trees from birdtree.org, including all species for which we modeled the relationship between body mass and amplitude in the manuscript associated with this dataset.
Code/software
The code included with this dataset consists of a single file written in R programming language, with detailed comments for maximum reproducibility. This code contains all packages and details to produce all figures, tables, and models in the manuscript associated with this dataset.