Pair bonding reinforced in the brain: Zebra finches use their specialized song system for simple communication

Date:

October 28, 2014

Source:

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

Summary:

In addition to their song, songbirds also have an extensive repertoire of calls. While the species-specific song must be learned as a young bird, most calls are, as in the case of all other birds, innate. Researchers have now discovered that in zebra finches the song control system in the brain is also active during simple communication calls. This relationship between unlearned calls and an area of the brain responsible for learned vocalizations is important for understanding the evolution of song learning in songbirds.

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