Birds hold key to secret of human speech
Way that zebra finches learn to sing could explain how children pick up first words
A tiny songbird that learns how to sing by listening to its parents could open the way to understanding how children start to talk and what goes wrong when speech defects occur, scientists said.
Scientists have deciphered the complete genetic code of the zebra finch and have found hundreds of genes involved in the task of allowing male zebra finches to learn the particular song sung by their fathers, which is passed on to subsequent generations in a similar way to a human language.
They believe that working out the genetic mechanism of how birds learn to sing a certain song they hear from birth will enable them to understand the same biological changes within the genes of the human brain that explain how children learn to talk by listening to their parents.
Zebra finches, which weigh less than an ounce and mate for life, have fascinated biologists because, like many songbirds, they learn their songs by listening to their elders. Parrots, hummingbirds, bats, whales and humans also communicate through learned vocalisations.
By deciphering the zebra finch's entire genome – its complete set of genes – the scientists hope to study the changes taking place within the cells of a bird's brain as it learns a song. The researchers have already identified 800 genes involved, said Professor Erich Jarvis of Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina.
"The system for singing has much more complexity than we imagined. In the part of the brain that controls learning how to sing, about 5 per cent of the genes are regulated by the action of singing. I thought there might be 100 genes, but our laboratory found that there are at least 800 regulated genes turning off and on, and there may be more," Professor Jarvis said.
Many of these genes do not follow the convention of "coding" for proteins, but instead they help to produce smaller gene-like molecules called RNA, which, like its cousin DNA, codes for genetic information. These small RNAs regulate other genes in the brain involved in memorising and vocalising a song.
"By comparing the finch genome with the human genome, we should now be able to expand our understanding of learned vocalisation in humans. Such information may help researchers who are striving to develop new ways to diagnose and treat communication disorders, such as stuttering and autism," said Eric Green, director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute.
The zebra finch is only the second bird, after the chicken, to have its genome decoded, in an international effort involving scientists from the US, Britain and Europe. The study is published in the journal Nature.
![Former Sex Pistol John Lydon has said it is Former Sex Pistol John Lydon has said it is](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9796256.ece/alternates/w140/JohnLydon.jpg)
Sex Pistols frontman doesn't agree with the self-styled revolutionary
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9796836.ece/alternates/w140/friends2.jpg)
![A man tries out a Oculus Rift virtual reality headset at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this year A man tries out a Oculus Rift virtual reality headset at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this year](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9217445.ece/alternates/w140/v2-web-oculus-ap.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9796621.ece/alternates/w140/186366123.jpg)
![Nigel farage poses for photographs at party headquarters after Douglas Carswell won the Clacton-on-Sea by-election for UKIP Nigel farage poses for photographs at party headquarters after Douglas Carswell won the Clacton-on-Sea by-election for UKIP](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9796003.ece/alternates/w140/Ukip-Political-Correctness.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9796434.ece/alternates/w140/Young-Jones.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/independent.co.uk/editorial/images/News-140x220.jpg?ver=1)
- 1 What's wrong with how the West talks about Ebola in one illustration
- 2 Vatican backtracks on gay tolerance comments after angry reaction from bishops
- 3 Dear young men: The old stereotypes of what it is to be a 'man' are a load of rubbish
- 4 Sorry Judy Finnigan – Ched Evans is no less sickening than an alleyway rapist
- 5 U2 frontman chased down street by German anarchists shouting 'Make Bono history'
-
Vatican backtracks on gay tolerance comments after angry reaction from bishops
-
What's wrong with how the West talks about Ebola in one illustration
-
Oscar Pistorius sentence: Athlete has been paying 'a monthly sum' to Reeva Steenkamp's family
-
Kim Jong-un makes first public appearance in 40 days... but where has the North Korean leader been?
-
Ebola 'risen from the dead' zombie story is a complete hoax
-
Give Catalonia its freedom to vote - by Pep Guardiola, Josep Carreras and other leading Catalans
-
French say au revoir to France: Over two million French people now live abroad, and most are crossing the channel and heading to London
-
Top Gear in Argentina: Jeremy Clarkson tried to portray my fellow countrymen as savages
-
Palestinian statehood: Ed Miliband demands whipped vote, but backs down to avoid resignations
-
Palestine vote: MPs take historic decision to recognise Palestinian state
-
Clacton by-election: Douglas Carswell becomes Ukip's first ever elected MP after a sensational victory
![The Independent Digital Edition apps Have you tried new the Independent Digital Edition apps?](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/independent.co.uk/assets/images/Independent_apps_puff600x220.gif?v4)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9747754.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/sponsored-features.jpg)
A wealth of new discoveries are waiting
When was the last time you had a first time – a weekend full of new encounters and fresh memories? This autumn, why not make York your big discovery?
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9757026.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/sponsored-features.jpg)
Winter at its height
Seasons come and go, it’s an annual cycle of varying temperatures, traditions and activities. When winter comes to Austria it is distinctly special and all embracing.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9792981.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/sponsored-features.jpg)
Playing a strong hand
How mobile technology has changed the instant trading game
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9700455.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/i100_single_mum.jpg)
i100: A single mother on benefits who became one of the world's most successful authors
11 rags-to-riches underdog success stories
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9788302.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/sponsored-features.jpg)
Made of London Series
England’s most-capped player tells 50 lucky Evening Standard readers at The Counting House that Stuart Lancaster can lead his team to World Cup glory next year.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9754627.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/sponsored-features.jpg)
Lines Ruled
Lines ruled at New York Fashion Week as highlighter stripes took centre stage. Emma McCarthy gets next season’s look now.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article6279337.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/comps.jpg)
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article8199962.ece/ALTERNATES/w300/IBM.jpg)
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
iJobs General
Accounts Payable Assistant
£10 - £12 per hour: Sauce Recruitment: A rapidly expanding global fashion comp...
Nursery Nurse
Negotiable: Randstad Education Ilford: Nursery Nurse - Newham ? LONG TERMA qua...
Personal Advisor (Employment Support)
£29,898 - £32,079 per annum: Newham Council: Personal Advisors will manage a c...
Year 4 Teacher
Negotiable: Randstad Education Ilford: A Primary School in Newham are looking ...
Day In a Page
![Sorry Judy Finnigan, but Ched Evans is no less sickening than an alleyway rapist](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9794707.ece/alternates/w148/v2Judy-Ched.jpg)
Sorry Judy Finnigan, but Ched Evans is no less sickening than an alleyway rapist
![10 best home fitness equipment](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9791880.ece/alternates/w148/HomeGymTraining.jpg)
Work out without leaving the house: 10 best home fitness equipment
![Paul Scholes column: I do not blame Roy Hodgson one bit. He does his best to win qualifiers for England – and look after his players](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9794676.ece/alternates/w148/v2Scholes-620.jpg)
Paul Scholes on 'tired' Sterling
![Ian Herbert: The RFL must put out message that punching is beyond the pale](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9794827.ece/alternates/w148/pg-58-flower-reuters.jpg)
The RFL must put out message that punching is beyond the pale
!['We eat a lot of beef, but we have never eaten a journalist': Argentina's ambassador to Britain takes on Jeremy Clarkson](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9790176.ece/alternates/w148/Clarkson-AFP-Getty.jpg)
'We eat a lot of beef, but we have never eaten a journalist'
![It is the internet - not Isis - that is radicalising the Muslims who head off to Syria to fight](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9790102.ece/alternates/w148/26-Jihadist-AFP-YouTube.jpg)
It is the internet not Isis that radicalises
![Why spending more on your wedding could make you more likely to divorce](http://web.archive.org./web/20141015182101im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article9777139.ece/alternates/w148/Wedding-ring.jpg)