Cuckoo in the nest

[lofuji]

I was on my regular Saturday bike ride with my wife this weekend, listening (among other things) to the calls of numerous koels, when a question suddenly popped into my head. The koel, like the European cuckoo, is a brood parasite, and it has a very distinctive (and loud) call (before I knew what it was, I used to refer to it as the "swanee whistler"). The question that occurred to me was this: how do such birds learn their calls, given that neither parent plays any part in their upbringing? Are such calls genetically pre-programmed? Or is there another explanation?

[Xamonas Chegwé]

A very intriguing question. I have no idea. But I do subscribe to a wildlife forum (for botanical purposes) with a huge birding section. Would you like me to repost it there?

[JimC]

I would be fairly certain it is genetically programmed in the case of the Koel. In contrast, the group known as songbirds definitely learn the details of their particular song from listening to surrounding birds (including, but not restricted to, their parent). Another example is the Australian Lyrebird, whose extensive repertoire includes startling good imitations, not only of other birds, but also of the sounds of an axe chopping wood etc. In that case, the genetic information is programmed instructions to recreate heard sounds from their local environment.

[laklak]

Same with mockingbirds here. There's one who sits on a wire in the back yard every morning, his repertoire is amazing.

[Hermit]

The question that occurred to me was this: how do such birds learn their calls, given that neither parent plays any part in their upbringing? Are such calls genetically pre-programmed? Or is there another explanation?

What other explanation could there be?

[JimC]

The question that occurred to me was this: how do such birds learn their calls, given that neither parent plays any part in their upbringing? Are such calls genetically pre-programmed? Or is there another explanation?

What other explanation could there be?

The Avian gods whisper in their ears...

[Hermit]

That's just ... divine.

Meanwhile, here on earth...

[lofuji]

A very intriguing question. I have no idea. But I do subscribe to a wildlife forum (for botanical purposes) with a huge birding section. Would you like me to repost it there?

Yes please.

[mistermack]

Definitely genetically pre-programmed.

And it's way down on the list of things that are pre-programmed.

As I posted in another thread, they know exactly how to mate, without any sex education.

And cuckoos even know the way to Africa, and when they should leave, without any help from anyone.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

A very intriguing question. I have no idea. But I do subscribe to a wildlife forum (for botanical purposes) with a huge birding section. Would you like me to repost it there?

Yes please.

Done.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

They seem to agree with the general consensus there too. I was given a link to this page.

[Tero]

Song birds evolved the complicated and variable songs. The ability to learn evolved at some point. Woodpeckers do not need to learn songs, but they are not any dumber. The songs and drumming of woodpeckers are needed to establish territory. Song birds learn or form their own song, but can also copy the song of neighboring males. It has a particular meaning to sing back the same song. So there is a bit more complicated communication. Cuckoos are fewer and the interactions are not quite so complicated. Numbers of small songbirds are much greater.

[Brian Peacock]

But who ever spares a thought for the Willow Warblers. So sad. "Ma. Pa. I've got something to tell you... You're not my real parents..."

[Brian Peacock]

"... And I murdered your real children. Sorry about that."

[lofuji]

I would be fairly certain it is genetically programmed in the case of the Koel. In contrast, the group known as songbirds definitely learn the details of their particular song from listening to surrounding birds (including, but not restricted to, their parent). Another example is the Australian Lyrebird, whose extensive repertoire includes startling good imitations, not only of other birds, but also of the sounds of an axe chopping wood etc. In that case, the genetic information is programmed instructions to recreate heard sounds from their local environment.

I've never heard a lyrebird, but when I worked in Western Australia in 1970, I used to enjoy "interacting" with a currawong whenever I heard one. I can't now remember any of the tunes I used to whistle, but back they would come, perfectly rendered. One of my most enduring memories of Oz.