Why can some birds mime sounds with enough complexity to copy human speech , while other razzing just chirp ?
A new subject field in the journalPLOS ONEfinds that parrot ’ ability to learn and copy newfangled sound comes from a unequaled genius part that duplicated some 29 million class ago . Within this region is a pair of nested vocal learning centers that may be the key to parrot ' ability to imitate voice with preternatural accuracy .
Led by neurobiologist at the Duke University Medical Center , the investigator examined mentality tissue paper from a wide range of parrot species capable of outspoken learning , includingbudgies , cockatiels , lovebirds , macaws , and keas . They equate the structure of their brains to the brains of other birds , like songbirds and hummingbirds , which show some signs ofvocal learningbut ca n’t simulate vocalism to the degree a parrot can .
figure Credit : Courtesy of Jonathan E. Lee , Duke University
Parrots ’ brains have two structures ( see image above ) dedicate to vocal encyclopedism and caricature call a core and a shell , the latter of which is prominent in Bronx cheer get it on to be better ape of human linguistic communication . “ Each ( outspoken learning centre ) has a core and a shell in the parrot , advise that the whole pathway has been duplicate , ” study co - author Erich Jarvis , an associate prof of neurobiology at Duke , explains in apress release . The group hypothesizes that bird ’ ability to imitate voices and sounds came about through this duplication of footpath in the brain , though they ’re not quite sure how the duplication might have occurred .
The kea , a relatively ancient parrot species native to New Zealand , also has a rough shell structure , suggesting that the feature dates back to hoot specie at least 29 million years old . These shell regions have been known to scientist for decades , but it was n’t light if they had anything to do with vocal encyclopaedism .
[ h / t : Eurekalert ]
