Oropendola is a family of song bird in the tropics which branches into three distinct genera. Each of which have been the focus of vocal study and patterns in their song structure. Of the three genera, 32 different song structures have been analyzed and show little to no variation between the selective species. To bolster these findings, the songs of the birds were mapped onto a molecular phylogeny. This was done to look for analytical data in relation to retention, convergence, conservation, and reversal. Once analyzed, it was proven that between the species, the characteristics of song are highly conserved in the phylogeny. Roughly two thirds of the variations showed no signs of convergence or reversal. These finding show that song selection in Oropendola is not unique to the species, rather it is a familial song and thus traveling flocks are able to intercommunicate with other species.
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