Learning to recognize every bird song is a daunting task. I still don’t recognize every song or call note I hear. As a beginning birdwatcher I was slow to learn the songs. It was easier to let more ...

The reorganization of neural activity during sleep helps young songbirds to develop the vocal skills they display while awake. Practice, or auditory feedback, may also play a role in learning.

Each week a new group of birds passes through the yard as they wing their way north. Some stay to nest, while others continue their journey. So far, I’ve welcomed killdeer, woodcock, phoebes, field ...

Waking up to the dawn chorus of birds — one of the natural world’s greatest symphonies — is a joy like no other. It’s not surprising that bird-watching has become an increasingly popular hobby. A ...

Over a decade ago, behavioral ecologist Diane Colombelli-Négrel was wiring superb fairy wrens’ nests to record the birds’ sounds when she noticed something odd. Mother fairy wrens sang while ...

This story is part of our summer Book Club conversation about Jennifer Ackerman’s book ‘The Genius of Birds.’ Want to participate? Sign up for our newsletter or send us your thoughts on the SciFri ...

New research by neuroscientists at the University of Chicago uses the mating songs of birds to show how intrinsic properties of cells are closely tied to the complex processes of learning. The study, ...

WASHINGTON — Male songbirds usually learn their tunes from adult mentors. But when aspiring crooners lack proper role models, they hit all the wrong notes — and have less success attracting mates. For ...

Bird songs are awesome. You probably don't pay them much mind, but the songs of birds are known to be soothing to humans, regardless of the setting. Bird songs can reduce stress and improve your mood, ...

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 ...

Waking up to the dawn chorus of birds—one of the natural world's greatest symphonies—is a joy like no other. It is not surprising that bird-watching has become an increasingly popular hobby. Subscribe ...