New Insights into the Avian Song System and Neuronal Control of Learned Vocalizations

Abstract

The songbird brain contains a network of structures that are specialized for imitative vocal learning. Over the past few years, many new insights have emerged about the structure and function of that system. Among those insights are understanding how specific pathways contribute to specific aspects of vocal behavior, such as control of the acoustic properties of the vocalizations, control of the sequence in which those sounds are produced, and production of calls as well as songs. New research also has indicated that sites outside of the canonical vocal communication system play key roles in the learning, perception, and performance of the sounds used in vocal communication. This chapter details many of those insights and advocates for an expanded perspective on the vocal communication system as a set of interconnected nuclei that are specialized for the production of not only songs but also multiple types of learned signals used in vocal communication. In addition, several new experimental tools and approaches are highlighted that will allow deeper investigations into fundamental questions about the neural basis of learned vocal communication.