Biology 3436F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Mate Choice, Critical Role, Neural Development
16 Oct 2020
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The integrative study of behavior: different populations of birds often sing distinct forms of the same song, called dialects. To understand how birds learn different dialects, we must explore both proximate and ultimate hypotheses for avian song learning: there appears to be little evidence of hereditary differences underlying dialects in several bird species. Instead, young birds appear to learn their distinct songs during a critical window during development. The experience of hearing other males is critical to a young male bird learning its proper song (and a young female learning the preference for that song). The high vocal center nucleus, or hvc, is particularly important for male song learning. It is possible that these three orders of birds shared a common ancestor that was a vocal learner.
