Exploring vocal recovery after cranial nerve injury in Bengalese finches

► Bengalese finches produce sounds ≥2.2 kHz with the left side of their vocal organ. ► Denervation of the left vocal organ transiently eliminated higher frequency sound production. ► Higher frequency sound production recovered within 30 days following nerve injury. ► Nervous system damage, not altered auditory feedback, increased song stereotypy. ► This animal model can be used to study recovery of vocal control after nerve injury.