Michael Weiss

TL;DR: Network approaches provide biologically meaningful parameters to describe the song structure of species with extremely large repertoires and complex rules of song retrieval, and potential functions of the network properties of song sequences in the framework of vocal leadership are discussed.

TL;DR: These data provide the first evidence that Area X neurons can coexpress all avian FoxP subfamily members, thus allowing for a variety of regulatory possibilities via heterodimerization that could impact song behavior in zebra finches.

TL;DR: Although hybridization might increase the tendency for learning songs from both parental species, interspecific cultural transmission is the major proximate mechanism explaining the occurrence of mixed singers among the sympatric Thrush Nightingales.

TL;DR: It is shown that buzz elements in the song of nightingales hold the potential to serve as indicators of male quality and may therefore serve a communicative function and support the idea that performance differences in the acoustic fine structure of song components are used in the communication of a large repertoire species such as the nightingale.

TL;DR: Since male nightingales are involved in chick rearing, paternal investment might be a crucial variable for female mate choice in this species and females may assess future paternal care on the basis of song features identified in this study.