Discrimination of natural vocalizations by budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) using operant techniques

Abstract

Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) were trained by operant techniques on a GO‐NOGO discrimination task requiring the classification of complex species specific acoustic signals. Budgerigars began training on one pair of contact calls. After reaching a criterion of 85% correct, a third stimulus was added to the classification task. This procedure was reported each time budgerigars reached criterion on the current set of calls. By 70 sessions (days) budgerigars demonstrated the capacity for correctly identifying/classifying ten contact calls. Responses to probe stimuli indicate that the budgerigars were relying on the features of each call, not a rule or rules, in making a correct classification. Canaries (Serinus canarius) trained on the identical task failed to reach criterion on a single pair of budgerigar contact calls. These data suggest species differences in the perception and learning of complex vocalizations. [Work supported by NINCDS and NICHHD.]