Chickens have excellent sound localization ability.

Abstract

The mechanisms of sound localization are actively debated, especially which cues are predominately used and why. Our study provides behavioural data in chickens (Gallus gallus) and relates these to estimates of the perceived physical cues. Sound localization acuity was quantified as the minimum audible angle (MAA) in azimuth. Pure-tone MAA was 12.3, 9.3, 8.9 and 14.5deg for frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, respectively. Broadband-noise MAA was 12.2deg, which indicates excellent behavioural acuity. We determined 'external cues' from head-related transfer functions of chickens. These were used to derive 'internal cues', taking into account published data on the effect of the coupled middle ears. Our estimates of the internal cues indicate that chickens likely relied on interaural time difference cues alone at low frequencies of 500 and 1000 Hz, whereas at 2000 and 4000 Hz, interaural level differences may be the dominant cue.