Bird Song Development

[Lilith]

Attended a nice lecture by Ofer Tchernichovski in which he discussed the development of bird song in zebra finches. Not a new topic, but he gives it a new twist, as he ought to.

The main reason I started this thread is to point you to this site that he used during his lecture - listen to the slowed down versions of the songs, especially the second one - the veery!

http://www.whybirdssing.com/ (click on "slowing down the sounds")

What a great way to engage his audience. And if you are interested in Dr. Tchernichovski's work, here are two of his posters available as links from his web site:

http://ofer.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/sigal06.JPG
http://ofer.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/Slide1.JPG

And now - for something completely different (a must listen): http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3433507052114896375
or
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6548641412872346927&q=&hl=en
or another version with more sounds that I am pretty sure can't be real - I think someone was having fun with this - but good for a laugh:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6548641412872346927&q=&hl=en

 

[I Ratant]

"because they can" is probably a good explanation.
Watching ravens fly, they obviously enjoy it.
Raptors OTOH, take it very seriously, and resent any interference with their flight.
I guess the single-minded pursuit of the next meal overcomes the ability to frolic in the third dimension that ravens exploit.. but then again, ravens aren't picky eaters.

 

[Francesca R]

This is most fascinating Lilith. There is much I feel we can learn about chirping.