Crows “count” the number of self-generated vocalizations

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 384(6698), P. 874 - 877

Published: May 23, 2024

Producing a specific number of vocalizations with purpose requires sophisticated combination numerical abilities and vocal control. Whether this capacity exists in animals other than humans is yet unknown. We show that crows can flexibly produce variable numbers one to four response arbitrary cues associated values. The acoustic features the first vocalization sequence were predictive total vocalizations, indicating planning process. Moreover, units predicted their order could be used read out counting errors during production.

Language: Английский

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The role of conservation translocations in the recovery of the endangered Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus): from Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and back

Pacific Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(3)

Published: April 21, 2025

Context Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) translocations between 1983 and 2018 have been a major management strategy for this cryptic semi-flightless songbird, which was once considered extinct. Aims We review 40 years of translocations, assessing the importance Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia as source founders, role in recovery. Methods An evaluation translocation successes failures impact removing birds from population when it only possible source. Research into territorial song to explain social structure scrub-birds, genetics, habitat suitability, implications learnings future translocations. Key results Translocation has contributor an increase index Area Occupancy, although removal may contributed declines area. A more conservative approach developed using small initial numbers founders. Impacts program on genetic diversity metapopulation appear not be significant. Conclusions Conservation instrumental securing conserving scrub-bird, with considerable spatial expansion species range, spite significant bushfires impacting habitat. Implications With likelihood unplanned fire increasing, climate change likely modify habitat, maximising number geographically distinct populations remains priority conservation scrub-bird.

Language: Английский

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Songbird species that display more-complex vocal learning are better problem-solvers and have larger brains

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 381(6663), P. 1170 - 1175

Published: Sept. 14, 2023

Complex vocal learning, a critical component of human spoken language, has been assumed to be associated with more-advanced cognitive abilities. Tests this hypothesis between individuals within species have inconclusive and not done across species. In work, we measured an array skills-namely, problem-solving, associative reversal self-control-across 214 23 bird species, including 19 wild-caught songbird two domesticated nonlearning We found that the greater learning abilities better their problem-solving skills relatively larger brains. These conclusions held when controlling for noncognitive variables phylogeny. Our results support shared genetic mechanisms bigger brains in songbirds.

Language: Английский

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The evolution of social play in songbirds, parrots and cockatoos - emotional or highly complex cognitive behaviour or both?

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 161, P. 105621 - 105621

Published: March 12, 2024

Social play has been described in many animals. However, much of this social behaviour among birds, particularly adults, is still relatively unexplored terms the environmental, psychological, and dynamics play. This paper provides an overview what we know about adult birds addresses areas which subtleties distinctions, such as initiation organisation its relationship to expressions play, are considered detail. The considers emotional, social, innovative, cognitive aspects then environmental conditions affiliative bonds, suggesting a surprisingly complex framework criteria awaiting further research. Adult so far studied only small number avian species, exclusively those with large brain relative body size without necessarily addressing functions lateralization. When lateralization function considered, it can illuminate possibly significant relevance evolution cognition, management emotions, development sociality.

Language: Английский

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Problem-solving skills are predicted by technical innovations in the wild and brain size in passerines

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(4), P. 806 - 816

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Abstract Behavioural innovations can provide key advantages for animals in the wild, especially when ecological conditions change rapidly and unexpectedly. Innovation rates be compared across taxa by compiling field reports of novel behaviours. Large-scale analyses have shown that innovativeness reduces extinction risk, increases colonization success is associated with increased brain size pallial neuron numbers. However, appropriate laboratory measurements innovativeness, necessary to conduct targeted experimental studies, not been clearly established, despite decades speculation on most suitable assay. Here we implemented a battery cognitive tasks 203 birds 15 passerine species tested relationships at interspecific intraspecific levels metrics innovation size. We found better solving extractive foraging problems had higher technical wild larger brains. By contrast, performance other often subsumed under term behavioural flexibility, namely, associative reversal learning, as well self-control, were related problem-solving, or Our study yields robust support problem-solving an accurate proxy suggests motor solutions are more important than self-control learning modified cues generating wild.

Language: Английский

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Bridging the fields of cognition and birdsong with corvids

Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 90, P. 102965 - 102965

Published: Jan. 5, 2025

Corvids, readily adaptable across social and ecological contexts, successfully inhabit almost the entire world. They are seen as highly intelligent birds, current research examines their cognitive abilities. Despite being songbirds with a complete 'song system', corvids have historically received less attention in studies of song production, learning, perception compared to non-corvid songbirds. However, recent neurobiological demonstrated that songbird vocal production its neuronal representations regularly influenced by environmental factors. This opinion article discusses literature on 'corvid song' before introducing other flexible behaviors both wild controlled laboratory studies. We suggest control promising model species study links between brain networks for cognition vocalization. Studying corvid flexibility associated processes lab settings offers complementary insights, crucial bridging fields birdsong.

Language: Английский

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Vocal communication in corvids: a systematic review

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 221, P. 123073 - 123073

Published: Jan. 22, 2025

Language: Английский

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How to solve novel problems: the role of associative learning in problem-solving performance in wild great tits Parus major

Animal Cognition, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(1)

Published: April 12, 2024

Abstract Although problem-solving tasks are frequently used to assess innovative ability, the extent which performance reflects variation in cognitive skills has been rarely formally investigated. Using wild breeding great tits facing a new non-food motivated task, we investigated role of associative learning finding solution, compared multiple other non-cognitive factors. We first examined accuracy (the proportion contacts made with opening part string-pulling task), neophobia, exploration, activity, age, sex, body condition and participation time on ability solve task. To highlight effect learning, then between solvers non-solvers, before after cue solution (i.e., they pulled string door). finally over consecutive entrances for solvers. 884 observations from 788 tested 2010 2015, showed that, prior initial successful entrance, were more accurate explorative than that females likely task males. The solvers, but not increased significantly had opportunity associate pulling movement door, giving them solution. also successive entrances. Our results demonstrate variations primarily reflect inherent individual differences lesser shaped by sex exploratory behaviour.

Language: Английский

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Vocal Learning Versus Speech Evolution: Untangling a False Equivalence

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The evolution of speech remains one the most profound and unresolved questions in science. Despite significant advancements comparative research, key assumptions about evolutionary precursors continue to be accepted with minimal scrutiny. One such assumption is widely held belief that vocal learning—the ability imitate modify vocalizations—was an obligatory precondition for evolution. However, by time ape‐like human ancestors emerged amid Miocene's forests, learning species already walked Earth flew skies. A head‐start millions years didn't produce linguistic elephants, bats, or birds, suggesting hominids' humble beginnings were determinant verbal Current evidence on extant great ape calls provides new details insight into extinct forms functions allowed jump‐start By reconsidering processes led speech, this paper advocates a shift focus toward hominid biotope, body, brain, behavior, rather than treating as pinnacle endpoint drawing misleading parallels far‐related learners.

Language: Английский

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Generative vocal plasticity in chimpanzees

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 112381 - 112381

Published: April 1, 2025

Modern theory posits that human-ape differences in voice command account for speech evolution. However, comparison has been indirect and conjectural based on vocal learning taxa far related from Hominids, instead of direct quantitative great ape calls that, like all sounds, are local-specific non-universal to the species. Moreover, null hypothesis is purely reflexive never directly tested. Here, we show controlled, constant experimental settings, captive chimpanzees exhibit high-dimensional dexterity over activation modulation two atypical vowel-like calls. Subjects made unrestricted, multidimensional, distinct changes within between individuals, inducing parameter up 10,000%, rejecting hypothesis' predictions. Forecasting models indicated unmitigated novelty, altogether demonstrating emancipated vast real-time control. Findings contrary traditional assumptions, song evolution likely hinged prolific already available ancestral ape-like ancestors.

Language: Английский

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