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Vocal imitation in blindfolded zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) is facilitated in the presence of a non-singing conspecific female

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Abstract

Song acquisition in young male zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, is viewed as a learning process by imitation from a visible conspecific male acting as a song tutor. The role played by non-singing conspecific females in this process has been poorly documented. The influence of social contact on the song learning of blindfolded young males was investigated in both female-raised and pair-raised birds. Pupils with both eyes occluded from about 35 to 65 days post-hatch, the sensitive phase for song learning, copied significantly more from an adult male sharing their cage when tutored in the presence of a female sibling than in her absence. Interestingly, the effect was more pronounced in female-raised birds compared to pair-raised birds. I conclude that physical contact in the absence of visual cues is sufficient for song imitation to occur. The results demonstrate an instance of social stimulation by non-singing females in the song acquisition of male songbirds.

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Acknowledgments

I am most indebted to Michael Beecher, Peter Slater and Meredith West for constructive comments on different versions of the manuscript. Two anonymous referees made useful suggestions. Petr Janata and Rick Rayborn kindly offered their help in scoring sonagrams. This work was supported by grants from the European Community and Fondation Fyssen.

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  1. Patrice Adret

    Present address: Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, 1027E 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA

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  1. School of Biological and Medical Sciences, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TS, UK

    Patrice Adret

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Correspondence to Patrice Adret.

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Adret, P. Vocal imitation in blindfolded zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) is facilitated in the presence of a non-singing conspecific female. J Ethol 22, 29–35 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-003-0094-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-003-0094-y

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