Spring brings warmer temperatures, fresh greenery, and the return of birdsong. Songbirds are known for performing species-specific tunes to attract mates and defend their territories. But how do birds learn these signature songs? Much like humans, it takes time and practice to master a skill.
To understand the brain signals involved in birds’ intrinsic desire to learn their songs, a research team from Duke University, North Carolina, closely studied how zebra finches practice their songs until they perfect them. Their findings, published in Nature, offer insights into the learning process in both birds and humans.
Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Learning
When studying learning, it’s important to distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors like rewards or punishments, while intrinsic motivation is driven from within.
