About This Project

We are now closer than ever to solving the mystery of human language evolution - and birdsong might be the key. As it turns out, songbirds have specialized birdsong brain circuits that show similar patterns of gene activation as the brain circuits that mediate human speech. In our research, we propose to study gene activation in the brains of a songbird species that may offer insights into how our species evolved this complex vocal behavior.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The brain circuits for vocal behavior of humans and birds are marked by the similar activation of dozens of genes. This means that we can develop songbird model systems for studying human language evolution, and we believe that we have found the ideal species for the job.

Our model system is composed of two strains of a same species: the domesticated Bengalese finch (BF) and its wild ancestor, the white-backed munia. Even though it was never bred for its singing ability, BF evolved a much more flexible vocal behavior than its wild ancestor.

In a similar vein, it is believed that flexible vocal behavior distinguishes the present human condition from its ancestral sate, and this is why we believe that this songbird species is an optimal model for studying this puzzling moment of our evolution.

What is the significance of this project?

The evolution of the human language is one of the most significant events in our evolutionary history, and it is one of the distinguishing features that sets apart from the other apes. Due to its extravagant complexity, human language and our capacity to readily acquire it, has been subject to much debate in the scientific community. Additionally, researchers studying the evolution of human language have long been held back by the lack of animal models.

We believe those times are over, and in our research, we investigate a songbird system that might teach us about the evolution of flexible vocal behavior. We hope this study will lead to a better understanding of language as the product of an evolutionary process, and help explain this important mark in the natural history of our species.

What are the goals of the project?

Our goal is to compare gene activation in the areas related to birdsong in the brains of Bengalese finches and white-backed munias, and then compare the DNA sequences of these two songbird strains in order to discover if the differentially activated genes have evolved free of constrains due to the more relaxed environment brought by the Bengalese finch domestication. To do so, we will use a new approach called "Exon-capture," coupled with DNA next-generation sequencing technologies.

With your help, we will generate a massive database of genetic information that can teach us about how the Bengalese finch song evolved. If our hypothesis is right, this would indicate that relaxation of selective pressures over vocal behavior could have led us to evolve language.