Scientists Use Wild Birds to Teach Endangered Species Traditional Songs

Researchers have successfully taught captive-bred regent honeyeaters their traditional songs by using wild-born male birds as tutors. The study, published on February 25 in Scientific Reports, involved birds at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, and other sites. With fewer than 250 regent honeyeaters left in the wild, many young males had been singing incorrect tunes, threatening breeding success. The team, including Daniel Appleby and Ross Crates from Australian National University, found that small groups of up to five birds per tutor led to effective learning, with 42% of young birds mastering the song within three years. This method aims to preserve cultural knowledge and aid reintroduction into the wild.