Learning to sing is one of the most rewarding—and most attainable—musical goals you can set for yourself. After all, the instrument is built in! No purchase required. However, it’s important to make ...

New research shows zebra finches engage in socially guided vocal learning, where they learn their songs by watching their mothers' reactions to their immature songs. Scientists rely on animal models ...

In learning to communicate, a good teacher is essential. Take zebra finches, for example. Juveniles of the species learn songs directly from a tutor – usually their father – through a social ...

image: Urban traffic noise causes song learning deficits in young zebra finches that also suffer from a suppressed immune function due to the chronic stress. view more Traffic noise leads to ...

However, while these learning processes are similar, the functions of speech and song are quite different. Human speech is complex and made up of many sounds that we use to convey an infinite number ...

AbstractThat many species of songbirds learn their songs imitatively is well established, but it is less clear why they do so. A component of the developmental-stress hypothesis posits that young ...

Cristina Robinson received funding from the NIH and Vanderbilt University. Kate Snyder receives funding from the National Science Foundation and Vanderbilt University. Nicole Creanza has received ...