Jonathan I. Benichov

This study shows nightingales adjust their songs in response to rivals, with neurons in HVC tuned to specific songs, enabling context-specific vocal responses.

The paper uses high-density recordings to show retinal axons and midbrain neurons form specific, strong connections with sparse inputs, revealing similar wiring rules in mammals and birds.

The paper identifies feed-forward inhibition as a key mechanism regulating vocal response timing in zebra finches using a spiking network model and electrophysiological recordings.