A recently published study has found that songbirds with complex vocal learning abilities are not only skilled at producing a wide range of sounds but also excel in problem-solving tasks. These songbirds, which include European starlings, have the largest brains relative to their body size compared to other bird species.
The study was conducted by ecologist and neurobiologist Jean-Nicolas Audet and his team at Rockefeller University. They sought to investigate the link between vocal learning and problem-solving abilities in wild songbirds. Over the course of three years, the researchers captured and tested hundreds of wild birds from 21 different species at Rockefeller University’s Field Research Center.
The birds were evaluated based on three metrics: the ability to learn new calls throughout their lifetime, the size of their vocalization repertoire, and their capacity to mimic other species. The researchers then conducted seven cognitive tests to assess the birds’ problem-solving abilities, including tasks such as pulling a stick, piercing foil, or removing a lid to reach a treat.
The findings revealed a significant correlation between vocal learning capabilities and problem-solving skills. The songbirds that were most proficient at solving puzzles, such as starlings, bluejays, and gray catbirds, also scored highest in vocal learning ability. Moreover, these birds with advanced problem-solving skills exhibited larger brains proportionate to their body size.
The study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between vocal learning, brain size, and problem-solving abilities in birds. It supports the idea that these traits evolved together and form what researchers call the “vocal learning cognitive complex.”
Dr. Audet and his team plan to further investigate the brain regions responsible for problem-solving in songbirds with advanced vocal learning abilities. Their research aims to shed light on the co-evolution of complex behaviors and potentially provide insights into human speech disorders.
