Neurogenetics of birdsong

Songbirds are a productive model organism to study the neural basis of auditory-guided vocal motor learning. Like human babies, juvenile songbirds learn many of their vocalizations by imitating an adult conspecific. This process is a product of genetic predispositions and the individual's life experience and has been investigated mainly by neuroanatomical, physiological and behavioral methods. Results have revealed general principles governing vertebrate motor behavior, sensitive periods, sexual dimorphism, social behavior regulation and adult neurogenesis. More recently, the emerging field of birdsong neurogenetics has advanced the way we think about genetic contributions to communication, mechanistically and conceptually.

► Human speech and birdsong share behavioral and neural features. ► Neurogenetic studies have exposed common molecular components for both traits. ► Forward genetics demonstrate effects of human disease candidate genes on song behavior. ► Reverse genetics show significant heritabilities of some aspects of song behavior. ► More genetic tools need to be adapted to the songbird model to enhance its power.