Dont butt in! Young birds taught the art of conversation

[Judi Lynn]

The acquisition of singing rules in canebrake wrens shows a similar pattern to human conversation learning.

Press Association
Last updated:21 February 2018 - 12.10am



A tropical songbird learns how to conduct polite “conversations” from its parents, research has shown.

As every well brought up child knows, it is rude to interrupt. The same lesson appears to be taught to young canebrake wrens, which become better able to avoid singing over their parents as they get older.

Like many other songbirds, adult canebrake wren pairs engage in “duets” in which each partner takes turns to chirp a precisely timed phrase.

Scientists have shown that to-and-fro song duets performed by mated birds mirror human conversations.

More:
http://home.bt.com/news/science-news/dont-butt-in-young-birds-taught-the-art-of-conversation-11364253154708

[KT2000]

1. Have noticed

that when birds call to another, there is a period of time before they other one answers.

I have a hedge outside by bedroom window where many birds spend the night. In the morning, one will sing, another will answer and then it is everyone singing. It is just wonderful to hear.