All articles tagged with #dawn chorus
A study on captive zebra finches suggests that their dawn singing intensity is driven by anticipation of sunrise, with their vocal activity increasing in response to delayed dawn and early light triggers, possibly to warm up their vocal cords and enhance reproductive success.
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.