Song Learning of songbirds

Definition

Songs of songbirds (order Passeriformes, suborder oscines) are sequences of frequency-amplitude-modulated sounds and intervening silent intervals. First, songs can be characterized by the phonology of the sounds, which are named elements. Second, songs can be characterized by its syntax, the rules with which elements and silent intervals are combined to form longer temporal sequences. For example, in some species such as the great tit the songs of a male can be classified into distinct song types, characterized by unique sequences of elements. In other species such as the sedge warbler songs consist of sequences of randomly assembled elements, rarely repeated in the same order. Intra- and interspecies differences in song phonology and syntax are in part due to auditory-motor learning, i.e., songs are cultural trades much like human language.

Characteristics

Song Learning: Consideration from Behavioral Experiments

During development young birds first listen, guided by innate...