As with human speech, a songbird’s vocal learning depends on hearing examples in early life. Young birds listen to and form auditory memories of songs warbled by an adult “tutor” (usually the father), which they use to shape their mating songs later in life.
Shin Yanagihara and Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan recorded brain activity of 20 male juvenile zebra finches before and during song learning.
They found a small number of neurons in the finch brains ramped up activity following exposure to the tutors’ song, but not after unrelated sounds.
The results were published in Nature Communications. You can hear and see the finches being taught how to sing in the video below.
Originally published by Cosmos as How baby birds learn to sing
Cosmos reporter
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.
