Male Songbirds Stay Attractive with Daily Singing Workouts

Male songbirds, specifically zebra finches, require daily vocal practice to impress potential mates, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The research shows that birds' vocal muscles need exercise to achieve peak performance, explaining why many birds sing early in the morning. Without practice, the birds' vocal abilities quickly decline, with their vocal muscles weakening and atrophying. Female zebra finches showed a strong preference for songs recorded before a break in practice. These findings suggest that birds sing in the dawn chorus to keep their voices in shape and attract mates. The research could also provide insights into vocal training and recovery in humans.