Contributions to birdsong from the left and right sides of the intact syrinx

THE vocal organ, the syrinx, of some songbirds has been hypothesized to contain two sound sources that can be operated independently. The syrinx of songbirds (Oscines) is a bipartite structure 1,2 whose two sides are potentially capable of acting either together or independently to produce sound 3–9...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1990-10, Vol.347 (6292), p.473-477
Main Author: Suthers, Roderick A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Biological and medical sciences
Birds
Bronchus
Dumetella carolinensis
Ear and associated structures. Auditory pathways and centers. Hearing. Vocal organ. Phonation. Sound production. Echolocation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Nervous system
Oscillations
Parus atricapillus
Periodicity
Resonant frequencies
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Songbirds
Sound
Spectral composition
Spectral emittance
Syllables
Thermistors
Toxostoma rufum
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
Vocal tract
Vocalization behavior
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Summary:THE vocal organ, the syrinx, of some songbirds has been hypothesized to contain two sound sources that can be operated independently. The syrinx of songbirds (Oscines) is a bipartite structure 1,2 whose two sides are potentially capable of acting either together or independently to produce sound 3–9 . Sound production is lateralized in some species such that one side produces most of the song 9–11 . I have now directly measured the acoustic output and motor dynamics of the left and right sides of the syrinx during song in catbirds and thrashers. In these birds, sound may be produced by either side of the syrinx alone, by both sides acting together, or by switching from side to side. When both sides of the syrinx contribute simultaneously to a note or syllable, both may generate the same sound or each side may produce a different sound. A given syllable type is generated by a similar motor pattern each time it is produced.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/347473a0