Song learning in canaries.

Abstract

Vocal learning in roller canaries was studied by comparing song structure in young males and in other birds to which they were exposed. When reared with fathers to sexual maturity, sons learned extensively from their songs, sharing from 76-91% of song syllables. Randomly chosen individuals shared from 12-21% of syllable types. Extensive learning was also demonstrated in young males exposed to adult male song through a loudspeaker, without social contact, from weaning to maturity. The level of syllable sharing with the model, ranging from 58-82%, is suggestively but not significantly lower than that achieved with social contact. Sibling males also engage in song learning from one another.