Objective
In order to maintain group cohesion, animals need to process social information efficiently. In many birds’ communities, this is ensured by vocal communication. In some bird species, social adjustment is facilitated by vocal sharing through imitation. Understanding how vocal culture develops in a population requires knowledge about social influences on vocal development. Until recently, vocal networks in animal groups have been rarely studied due to technical limitations. Here we propose to track the development of vocal culture by continuous monitoring of vocal exchanges in controlled social environments. We will study how group and individual signatures emerge and evolve within a group of birds. We have chosen two species well suited to study vocal interactions in a social network: a galliform, the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and a songbird, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Because quails are vocal non learners, it is believed that social influences play no role in the development of their vocal repertoire. Based on recent findings, we would like to revisit these aspects and test if quails raised in small groups from hatching to adulthood can develop vocal culture. In zebra finches, the song is learned during a sensitive period of the early life, mainly from the father. However, each bird develops a distinct song, maintaining both individual and group identity. We will study the balance between individual and group identity by using finches that have been trained to sing an identical song, and placing them together in a colony to test how vocal culture evolves across generations. In both species, vocalizations have the potential to be used as individual signatures. Using operant conditioning, we will study perceptual mechanisms of individual recognition in both species. The present study will contribute to a better understanding of the social mechanisms of communication in birds and will shed light on the specificity and evolution of vocal learning.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
75794 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.