Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior

Correctness is its own reward: bootstrapping error signals in self-guided reinforcement learning

This paper models how juvenile zebra finches learn song through self-guided reinforcement learning by developing a neural circuit that generates internal error signals via predictive cancellation.

Mouse pups lacking a cerebral cortex develop abnormal vocal behavior

The paper investigates vocal development in acortical mouse pups and finds altered acoustic features and distress indicators, suggesting the cerebral cortex influences complex vocal behaviors.

Vocal error monitoring in the primate auditory cortex

The paper shows that auditory cortex in non-human primates encodes vocal feedback error through neural activity scaling with error magnitude and specificity to vocal frequencies.

Songs distinguish the cryptic giant hummingbird species and clarify range limits

This study uses song analysis to distinguish two cryptic giant hummingbird species and identifies their range limits.

Sex chromosome gene expression associated with vocal learning following hormonal manipulation in female zebra finches

The paper identifies Z chromosome genes whose expression is influenced by estrogen treatment and associated with vocal learning in female zebra finches.

Automated identification of individual birds by song enables multi-year recapture from passive acoustic monitoring data

This paper introduces an automated method to identify individual birds by song, enabling multi-year recapture from acoustic data with 96% accuracy.

Exploring Neural Dynamics in the Auditory Telencephalon of Crows using Functional Ultrasound Imaging

This study uses functional ultrasound imaging to map frequency-specific blood volume responses in crows' auditory telencephalon, revealing tonotopic organization and subregion specialization.

Parrots and Humans Prefer Pitch Sequences of Intermediate Complexity

This study shows that both humans and budgerigars prefer pitch sequences with intermediate complexity, suggesting a shared cognitive preference that may relate to learning.

Accelerando and crescendo in African penguin display songs

The paper quantifies accelerando and crescendo in African penguin display songs, showing rhythmic acceleration and loudness increase with plasticity in tempo.

Vocal communication is seasonal in social groups of wild, free-living house mice

The paper tracks social interactions and vocalizations in wild house mice over 10 years, finding seasonal vocalization patterns linked to social group dynamics and pup presence.

A complex acoustical environment is necessary for maintenance and development in the zebra finch auditory pallium

This study shows that a complex acoustical environment is necessary for the development and maintenance of auditory circuits in zebra finches, as evidenced by neural deficits in birds raised in simpler environments.

Introductory notes before zebra finch song have unique timing properties while sharing acoustic properties with song

The paper analyzes zebra finch song introductory notes and finds correlations between their acoustic features and song syllables, suggesting shared neural control but distinct timing mechanisms.

Respiratory vocal coordination increases as zebra finches prepare to sing

This study shows that respiratory vocal coordination improves with repeated introductory notes in zebra finches, suggesting these notes reflect motor preparation for song.

Graphical Representation of Landscape Heterogeneity Identification through Unsupervised Acoustic Analysis

The paper introduces an unsupervised acoustic analysis method to identify landscape heterogeneity using sonotypes and graphical models, showing correlations with ecological metrics.

The effect of social structure on vocal flexibility in monk parakeets

The paper examines how social structure influences vocal diversity in monk parakeets, finding age, nest mate number, and group size affect call diversity, while relatedness and affiliative bonds influence call similarity.

Characteristics of Vitelline Warbler songs and calls

This study characterizes the songs and calls of the Vitelline Warbler, documenting vocal variation and ecological associations on Little Cayman Island.

Frontal-Auditory Cortical Interactions and Sensory Prediction During Vocal Production in Marmoset Monkeys

The paper investigates frontal-auditory cortical interactions during vocal production in marmoset monkeys, finding that frontal areas send predictive signals to the auditory cortex before vocalization.

Nightingales imitate the duration of whistle syllables

This study shows that nightingales imitate whistle syllable durations in real-time but adjust within their natural vocal range when exposed to novel stimuli.

Attuning to song duels facilitates song-matching in nightingales

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

Zebra finch introductory notes do not influence female response to song and juvenile song learning accuracy

This study investigates whether zebra finch introductory notes affect female response to song or juvenile learning, finding no influence on either.

A cooperatively breeding mouse shows flexible use of its vocal repertoire according to social context

The paper shows that African striped mice adjust their vocalizations based on social context, using different call types and temporal patterns depending on familiarity and sex of interacting individuals.

Mating signal energy gradient mediates gene flow in the early stage of avian speciation

The paper examines how mating signal energy gradients influence gene flow in early avian speciation by analyzing 109 hybridizing species pairs.

Galapagos yellow warblers differ in behavioural plasticity in response to traffic noise depending on proximity to road.

This study examines how Galapagos yellow warblers adjust their song and aggression in response to traffic noise, finding differences based on proximity to roads and island location.

Feathers of Grace: The 'After You' Gesture in Japanese Tits

The paper evaluates a study claiming Japanese tits use an 'after you' gesture, finding variability in gesture frequency and response timing, suggesting caution in interpreting the claim.

Context-Dependent Modulations in Acoustic Features of Zebra Finch Distance Calls: Insights from a Novel Goal-Directed Vocalization Paradigm

This study shows zebra finches modulate their distance calls acoustically based on context, demonstrating vocal flexibility previously thought exclusive to songs.

Rates of female mouse ultrasonic vocalizations are low and are not modulated by estrous state during interactions with muted males

This study finds that female mice produce low rates of ultrasonic vocalizations during courtship and that these rates are not influenced by estrous state when interacting with muted males.

What matters to a mouse? Effects of internal and external context on male vocal response to female squeaks

This study examines how internal and external context affect male mice vocal responses to female squeaks, finding that unfamiliar competitor odors reduce vocal production and complexity regardless of dominance status.

Visually-guided compensation of deafening-induced song deterioration

This study shows that deafened songbirds can maintain song stability using visual cues, as demonstrated by a new metric and behavioral task.

Female C57BL/6J mice perform distinctive urination behaviour accompanied by ultrasonic vocalisations sequences with a stereotypic temporal organisation.

The paper describes a new behavior in female C57BL/6J mice where they emit specific ultrasonic vocalizations during urination, with stereotyped inter-USV intervals and increased locomotor activity.

Exploring Anatomical Links Between the Crow's Nidopallium Caudolaterale and its Song System

The paper investigates anatomical connections between the crow's NCL and its song system nuclei, finding dense projections to key song system nuclei and parallel pathways from MAN to NCL and HVC.