Auditory representations and memory in birdsong learning

Songbirds are well suited to studies of vocal processing not only because of their impressive motor abilities, but also because of their exquisite sensory system that allows them to detect subtle song variability, memorize complex songs, and monitor auditory feedback during singing. Recent experimen...

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Published inCurrent opinion in neurobiology Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 332 - 339
Main Authors Hahnloser, Richard HR, Kotowicz, Andreas
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2010
Subjects
Animals
Auditory Perception - physiology
Auditory stimuli
Behavior, Animal - physiology
Female
Humans
Learning - physiology
Male
Memory - physiology
Neurology
Psychiatry
Songbirds - physiology
Vocalization, Animal - physiology
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Summary:Songbirds are well suited to studies of vocal processing not only because of their impressive motor abilities, but also because of their exquisite sensory system that allows them to detect subtle song variability, memorize complex songs, and monitor auditory feedback during singing. Recent experiments point to areas outside the traditional song system for being relevant to sensory functions implicated in song learning. By manipulating or suppressing activity in these areas, adult birds lose their ability to recognize the songs of their tutors and juveniles are unable to form accurate copies of tutor song. Taken together, these experiments show that the sensory mechanisms for vocal learning encompass a larger network than previously thought.
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ISSN:0959-4388
1873-6882
DOI:10.1016/j.conb.2010.02.011