Mita Philosophical Society Lecture

2023/01/24

Lecture Overview:

Humans have developed advanced skills such as language and art by accepting various cultures within society and passing them on to future generations. Animals with the ability for cultural transmission are rare, and even among primates, it has only been reported in a few species like chimpanzees. Curiously, however, some bird species are known to transmit complex behaviors similar to human culture. In particular, birds of the suborder Passeri (songbirds) are known for singing complex songs. They have the ability to memorize songs heard in their youth and, through long practice thereafter, imitate them accurately. Furthermore, songbirds are extremely social animals. They are raised by surrounding adults in their youth, form close social bonds with specific partners during the breeding season, and engage in diverse vocal communication within their flocks. It has also become clear that songbirds have preferences not only for the songs used in courtship but also for musical stimuli. In this lecture, I will introduce the latest findings on song transmission by songbirds and its neural mechanisms. I also hope to discuss how the study of songbirds can contribute to our understanding of human culture and aesthetic sense.