9 - Cognitive Processes in Avian Vocal Acquisition

Abstract

This chapter illustrates a comparative study of vocal acquisition by birds. It provides an insight into avian cognitive capacities in the realm of communication, i.e., memory, information processing, and categorization. Variation exists within and between avian taxa in the representation of sound information in memory, i.e., cognitive content, and when those memories are obtained, processed, and organized, i.e., cognitive structure-function. Recognition of this variation can aid in elucidating the development and evolution of avian vocal communication systems. The cognitive functions of selective attention, information processing, decision processing, and choice between alternative strategies channelize behavioral responses to a range of environmental stimuli such as food types, temperatures, etc. In vocal communication, the animal must attend to, select from, and/or respond to sounds that may range from noninformative background noise to information-rich and species-typical signal(s). Thus, animals must have mechanisms that facilitate the recognition of appropriate signals at one level, and decision processes concerning response to and/or production of signals at another. Signal recognition as well as vocal expression may be directed wholly or in part by pre-existing, heritable representations within the nervous system. Even such nonconscious and/or stereotypic signals and signaling responses, however, can be influenced by cognitive processes.