MicroRNAs in the songbird brain respond to new songs (w/ video)
Thursday, June 30, 2011 - 12:30
in Psychology & Sociology
Whenever it hears an unfamiliar song from a bird of the same species, a zebra finch stops chirping, hopping and grooming. It listens attentively for minutes at a time, occasionally cocking its head but otherwise immobile. Once it becomes familiar with the song, it goes back to its busy routine.