The vocal repertoire of infant giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca )

Despite this, no previous studies have attempted to systematically categorize infant giant panda vocalizations into different call types. In this study, we used acoustic and video analyses to split infant giant panda vocalizations into three distinct call types based on their acoustic structure as well as their use in different behavioural contexts.

A discriminant functions analysis on the acoustic variables confirmed our initial subjective classification of 281 vocalizations into three call types: the harsh sounding “squawk”, the high-pitched “squall” and the pulsed “croak”. Based on the observed spectral acoustic characteristics, none of these three infant call types appears to be a precursor of an adult giant panda vocalization. In addition, individual call types could not be assigned to specific recording contexts.