Maternal in-nest call structure reduces habituation risk in songbird embryos

Abstract

Repetition of the same vocal stimulus during vocal learning may result in habituation. Therefore, selection may favor vocal tutors that produce vocal stimuli with characteristics that reduce the risk of habituation. Superb fairywren Malurus cyaneus mothers produce a two-element (A and signature B) call to embryos, but embryos only produce one element type (B) after hatching. Why do mothers use the A element to embryos? We broadcast calls with one (B) or two (AB) element types and measured embryo response. Embryos habituated to calls with one element type and remained responsive to calls with both. We conclude that signal characteristics in tutors may guide learning to retain pupil attention during learning.