The neurobiology of Zebra Finch song: insights from gene expression studies

Male Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) sing a unique, stereotyped song that they learn from a tutor during development. A set of interconnected areas of the brain work together so that the birds can perceive, learn and produce song. In this review, we introduce the major components of the song system and describe evidence for how each might contribute to these three aspects of song. In particular, we highlight studies that have measured patterns of gene expression in the song system. These experiments clarify the structural organisation, and reveal functional activities, of the neural system underlying vocal communication. The utility of gene expression studies has been greatly enhanced with the release of the Zebra Finch genome. Investigation of gene expression in the song system will therefore continue to be a powerful way to connect the workings of this neural circuit with the behaviour of song. 'Zebra Finches sing a soft song that sounds squeaky and cheerful to the human ear and, perhaps, more mechanical than musical.' (Richard Zann, 'The Zebra Finch', 1996)