Access
To read this story in full you will need to login or make a payment (see right).
News and Views
Nature 451, 249-250 (17 January 2008) | doi:10.1038/451249a; Published online 16 January 2008
Behavioural neuroscience: Neurons of imitation
Ofer Tchernichovski1 & Josh Wallman1
Abstract
In songbirds, a class of neurons shows a striking similarity in activity when the bird sings and when it hears a similar song. This mirroring neuronal activity could contribute to imitation.
Songbirds are champion mimics. A nightingale, for example, can imitate at least 60 different songs after a few exposures to each1.
To read this story in full you will need to login or make a payment (see right).
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Birdsong's clockworkNature Neuroscience News and Views (01 Oct 2002)
Behavioural biology Name that tuneNature News and Views (09 Dec 2004)
See all 5 matches for News And ViewsRESEARCH
Precise auditory?vocal mirroring in neurons for learned vocal communicationNature Article (17 Jan 2008)
Contributions of an avian basal ganglia?forebrain circuit to real-time modulation of songNature Letters to Editor (10 Feb 2005)
See all 8 matches for Research