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Loning H, Griffith SC, Naguib M. The ecology of zebra finch song and its implications for vocal communication in multi-level societies. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230191. [PMID: 38768203 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Acoustic signalling is crucial in affecting movements and in social interactions. In species with dynamic social structures, such as multi-level societies, acoustic signals can provide a key mechanism allowing individuals to identify and find or avoid each other and to exchange information. Yet, if the spacing between individuals regularly exceeds the maximum signalling range, the relation between movements and signals becomes more complex. As the best-studied songbird in captivity, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia castanotis) is a species with individually distinct songs that are audible over just a few metres and a widely ranging dynamic multi-level social organization in the wild, raising questions on the actual role of its song in social cohesion and coordination. Here, we provide an overview of birdsong in social organizations (networks) and use the ecology of the zebra finch and male song to discuss how singing can facilitate social cohesion and coordination in species where the signal range is very short. We raise the question of the extent to which zebra finches are a representative species to understand the function of song in communication, and we broaden current views on the function of birdsong and its individual signature. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Loning
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research , 6708 WD, The Netherlands
| | - Simon C Griffith
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University , Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Marc Naguib
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research , 6708 WD, The Netherlands
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Lefeuvre M, Rutkowska J. Zebra finch song parameters are affected by the breeding status of the male, but not temperature variability. Physiol Behav 2024; 281:114581. [PMID: 38734358 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Bird song is a crucial feature for mate choice and reproduction. Song can potentially communicate information related to the quality of the mate, through song complexity, structure or finer changes in syllable characteristics. It has been shown in zebra finches that those characteristics can be affected by various factors including motivation, hormone levels or extreme temperature. However, although the literature on zebra finch song is substantial, some factors have been neglected. In this paper, we recorded male zebra finches in two breeding contexts (before and after pairing) and in two ambient temperature conditions (stable and variable) to see how those factors could influence song production. We found strong differences between the two breeding contexts: compared to their song before pairing, males that were paired had lower song rate, syllable consistency, frequency and entropy, while surprisingly the amplitude of their syllables increased. Temperature variability had an impact on the extent of these differences, but did not directly affect the song parameters that we measured. Our results describe for the first time how breeding status and temperature variability can affect zebra finch song, and give some new insights into the subtleties of the acoustic communication of this model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlle Lefeuvre
- Jagiellonian University, Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Cracow, Poland; Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Cracow, Poland.
| | - Joanna Rutkowska
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Cracow, Poland
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Costalunga G, Vallentin D, Benichov JI. A neuroethological view of the multifaceted sensory influences on birdsong. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2024; 86:102867. [PMID: 38520789 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Learning and execution of complex motor skills are often modulated by sensory feedback and contextual cues arriving across multiple sensory modalities. Vocal motor behaviors, in particular, are primarily influenced by auditory inputs, both during learning and mature vocal production. The importance of auditory input in shaping vocal output has been investigated in several songbird species that acquire their adult song based on auditory exposure to a tutor during development. Recent studies have highlighted the influences of stimuli arriving through other sensory channels in juvenile song learning and in adult song production. Here, we review changes induced by diverse sensory stimuli during the song learning process and the production of adult song, considering the neuroethological significance of sensory channels in different species of songbirds. Additionally, we highlight advances, open questions, and possible future approaches for understanding the neural circuits that enable the multimodal shaping of singing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Costalunga
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Daniela Vallentin
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, 82319, Seewiesen, Germany.
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Mizuguchi D, Sánchez-Valpuesta M, Kim Y, Dos Santos EB, Kang H, Mori C, Wada K, Kojima S. Daily singing of adult songbirds functions to maintain song performance independently of auditory feedback and age. Commun Biol 2024; 7:598. [PMID: 38762691 PMCID: PMC11102546 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06311-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Many songbirds learn to produce songs through vocal practice in early life and continue to sing daily throughout their lifetime. While it is well-known that adult songbirds sing as part of their mating rituals, the functions of singing behavior outside of reproductive contexts remain unclear. Here, we investigated this issue in adult male zebra finches by suppressing their daily singing for two weeks and examining the effects on song performance. We found that singing suppression decreased the pitch, amplitude, and duration of songs, and that those song features substantially recovered through subsequent free singing. These reversible song changes were not dependent on auditory feedback or the age of the birds, contrasting with the adult song plasticity that has been reported previously. These results demonstrate that adult song structure is not stable without daily singing, and suggest that adult songbirds maintain song performance by preventing song changes through physical act of daily singing throughout their life. Such daily singing likely functions as vocal training to maintain the song production system in optimal conditions for song performance in reproductive contexts, similar to how human singers and athletes practice daily to maintain their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Mizuguchi
- Sensory and Motor Systems Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Miguel Sánchez-Valpuesta
- Sensory and Motor Systems Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunbok Kim
- Sensory and Motor Systems Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Ednei B Dos Santos
- Sensory and Motor Systems Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - HiJee Kang
- Sensory and Motor Systems Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Chihiro Mori
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-0041, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Life and Health Sciences, Teikyo University, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Wada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kojima
- Sensory and Motor Systems Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.
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Naguib M, ter Avest E, Tyson C, Whiting MJ, Griffith SC, Loning H. High nest failure in a zebra finch population and persistent nest predation by a monitor lizard. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11281. [PMID: 38623522 PMCID: PMC11017201 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Predation is well known to have substantial effects on behaviour and fitness in many animals. In songbirds, nest predation is rarely observed directly, so that research focusses primarily on the consequences of predation and less on the behaviour of the predator. Here, we report predation data in a zebra finch (Taeniopygia catanosis) nest box population, highlighting a 22-min-long sequence, captured on video, of a sand goanna (Varanus gouldii) predating a zebra finch nest in the wild. This monitor lizard appeared to be extremely persistent with climbing and jumping up to the next box nine times, including three successive unsuccessful attempts that lead to a change in approach strategy. It removed all six nestlings from the nest box during those repeated approaches and consumed them. In combination with overall high predation rates in the study population we document here, the findings highlight the role that a single predator species can have on nest success and, thus potentially also breeding decisions and social organisation of the prey population. Specifically so in a species like the zebra finch which synchronises reproductive attempts through the use of social information acquired through nest inspections and which uses social hotspots where they could gather information on changes in local social composition due to the individualised signals they use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Naguib
- Behavioural Ecology GroupWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Evelien ter Avest
- Behavioural Ecology GroupWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Chris Tyson
- Behavioural Ecology GroupWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Martin J. Whiting
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Simon C. Griffith
- School of Natural SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Hugo Loning
- Behavioural Ecology GroupWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
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Adam I, Riebel K, Stål P, Wood N, Previs MJ, Elemans CPH. Daily vocal exercise is necessary for peak performance singing in a songbird. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7787. [PMID: 38086817 PMCID: PMC10716414 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43592-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vocal signals, including human speech and birdsong, are produced by complicated, precisely coordinated body movements, whose execution is fitness-determining in resource competition and mate choice. While the acquisition and maintenance of motor skills generally requires practice to develop and maintain both motor circuitry and muscle performance, it is unknown whether vocal muscles, like limb muscles, exhibit exercise-induced plasticity. Here, we show that juvenile and adult zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) require daily vocal exercise to first gain and subsequently maintain peak vocal muscle performance. Experimentally preventing male birds from singing alters both vocal muscle physiology and vocal performance within days. Furthermore, we find females prefer song of vocally exercised males in choice experiments. Vocal output thus contains information on recent exercise status, and acts as an honest indicator of past exercise investment in songbirds, and possibly in all vocalising vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Adam
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Katharina Riebel
- Institute of Biology, Animal Sciences & Health, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Per Stål
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umea University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Neil Wood
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, NJ, USA
| | - Michael J Previs
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, NJ, USA
| | - Coen P H Elemans
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
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Adam I, Riebel K, St L P, Wood NB, Previs MJ, Elemans CPH. Peak performance singing requires daily vocal exercise in songbirds. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529633. [PMID: 36865130 PMCID: PMC9980080 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Vocal signals mediate much of human and non-human communication. Key performance traits - such as repertoire size, speed and accuracy of delivery - affect communication efficacy in fitness-decisive contexts such as mate choice and resource competition 1 . Specialized fast vocal muscles 2,3 are central to accurate sound production 4 , but it is unknown whether vocal, like limb muscles 5,6 , need exercise to gain and maintain peak performance 7,8 . Here, we show that for song development in juvenile songbirds, the closest analogue to human speech acquisition 9 , regular vocal muscle exercise is crucial to achieve adult peak muscle performance. Furthermore, adult vocal muscle performance reduces within two days of abolishing exercise, leading to downregulation of critical proteins transforming fast to slower muscle fibre types. Daily vocal exercise is thus required to both gain and maintain peak vocal muscle performance, and if absent changes vocal output. We show that conspecifics can detect these acoustic changes and females prefer the song of exercised males. Song thus contains information on recent exercise status of the sender. Daily investment in vocal exercise to maintain peak performance is an unrecognized cost of singing and could explain why many birds sing daily even under adverse conditions 10 . Because neural regulation of syringeal and laryngeal muscle plasticity is equivalent, vocal output may reflect recent exercise status in all vocalizing vertebrates.
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Birdsong: Not all contest but also cooperation? Curr Biol 2023; 33:R67-R69. [PMID: 36693311 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Birdsong generally functions to defend territories from same-sex competitors and to attract mates. Wild zebra finch males now are shown to sing prolifically outside the breeding season and without defending territories, suggesting potential social functions for birdsong beyond competition.
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