Abstract
Sound localization presents a problem for animals with small heads (closely spaced ears) and poor high-frequency hearing. In recent tests of spatial resolving power, several small songbirds (i.e., great tit, canary, and zebra finch) show rather large minimum audible angles (MAA) on the order of 15–20 deg. These results are expected if conventional binaural time and intensity differences are used. Budgerigars (17-mm interaural distance), on the other hand, demonstrate an MAA of about 5 deg, which approaches the excellent ability of the barn owl with a much larger head (50-mm interaural distance). Recent work has suggested that interaural pathways connecting the two ears of birds could be involved in sound localization. Using latex injection medium, we have demonstrated interaural pathways in the budgerigar, canary, and zebra finch. Taken together, the results of these behavioral and anatomical studies indicate that the budgerigar may use the interaural pathway in sound localization.
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