Relationship between parental care and vocalization in songbirds

Abstract

Vocal interaction between parents and offspring plays a critical role in songbirds' parental care. Raising young birds involves various aspects, including not only egg incubation, temperature regulation, nest maintenance, and feeding but also the vital role of imparting a tutor song that is crucial for future mate selection and the establishment of social bonds. This manuscript focuses on two species, zebra finches and Bengalese finches, which have been extensively studied in the broad research field spanning from their neural mechanisms to evolutionary significance, and provides a comprehensive overview of how vocalizations from parents and offspring play important roles in their parental care, as well as the influence of paretal behaviors on vocal learning and production in offspring.