Your Bird Isn’t Just Copying You — The Brain Science Behind How Birds Learn to Sing

Countless YouTube videos feature pet birds singing and talking to their owners. Although it may seem like simple mimicry, ...
The Conversation

Birding by ear: How to learn the songs of nature’s symphony with some simple techniques

Associate Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, West Virginia University Waking up to the dawn chorus of birds – one of the natural world’s greatest symphonies – is a joy like no other. It is ...
The Conversation

Complex birdsongs help biologists piece together the evolution of lifelong learning

Cristina Robinson received funding from the NIH and Vanderbilt University. Kate Snyder receives funding from the National Science Foundation and Vanderbilt University. Nicole Creanza has received ...
The University of Chicago Chronicle

Zebra finches’ social experiences alter their genomic DNA, changing ability to learn

Asst. Prof. Sarah London has long appreciated zebra finches for their unique learning characteristics. The males learn from another male tutor, but their ability to memorize the tutor’s song is ...