Master Thesis: Songbird brother experiment

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Research Context

Our research group aims to enhance the understanding of human language acquisition and development using songbird as model.

We are particularly interested in the evolutionary aspects of language, where two developmental tendencies are observed: convergent and divergent evolution. Convergent evolution refers to the simplification of language complexity, similar to how infants gradually acquire human language. Conversely, divergent evolution involves an increase in complexity, akin to teenagers creating and using novel words to establish unique identities. We propose to investigate whether similar effects are observable in animal vocalization learning, specifically in song learning of zebra finches and to explore the effect of social interaction.

To facilitate this investigation, our team has developed a "birdpark," a multimodal recording system that provides a naturalistic social environment for observing and recording multiple zebra finches within a dynamic group context.

 

Available Project

This Master’s thesis project will focus on the dynamics of vocal adaptation in pairs of brothers: male zebra finches who learned from the same song template and might display divergent vocal tendencies. The core of the study involves observing how their vocalizations change when they are reintroduced after a long period of separation in different social contexts and more generally how social interactions influence song evolution in zebra finches.

 

The student will conduct the animal recordings and analyze both audio and behavioral data.


Your Benefits

Through this project, you will:

  • - Develop skills in experimental design and animal handling.

  • - Gain hands-on experience with our advanced multimodal recording system.

  • - Enhance your capabilities in audio and video data analysis.

  • - Collaborate with experts across neuroscience, bioacoustics, behavior analysis, linguistics, and signal processing, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the integration of technology and animal communication research.

 

Your Profile

We are looking for a candidate with:

  • - Academic background in animal behavioral research, language evolution, and/or audio signal processing.

  • - A passion for understanding complex biological and linguistic phenomena.

  • - Note that to conduct these experiments, you should have completed the Introductory Course in Laboratory Animal Science on Non Rodent Species, see https://vsfltkreg.uzh.ch/course/select/242.

 

To apply please send a CV and transcript of records to one of the contacts below.

Collaborator: yuhang (at) ini.ethz.ch

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Richard Hahnloser: rich (at) ini.ethz.ch

 

 

 

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