Factors limiting song acquisition in adult zebra finches.

Full Abstract

Song learning takes place in two separate or partially overlapping periods, a sensory phase in which a tutor song is memorized and a sensorimotor phase in which a copy of the model is produced. The stage of song development where song becomes stable and stereotyped is called crystallization. Adult birds usually do not learn new song in many species including the zebra finch. However, it is not known whether song crystallization as such or aging impedes adult learning. Exposure to loud noises prevents birds from developing and crystallizing their song, because they cannot control their voice by auditory feedback. Zebra finches even without previous experience of hearing or singing a song failed to learn a song model provided in adulthood. Thus, neither the absence of a tutor song nor the lack of song crystallization enables new song learning in adulthood, but age per se limits the ability or motivation to learn song.

Author information

Author/s: Funabiki, Yasuko (Y); Funabiki, Kazuo (K);

Affiliation: Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, California 91125, USA. funaysk(-atsign-)kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Grants: NH55984 (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Developmental neurobiology (Dev Neurobiol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 69 (issue 11) : pp 752-9

Dates: Created 2009/08/17; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19623623, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/29/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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