New Zealand robin surrounded by musical notes and memory orbs.

Bird Brains and Birdsong: Unraveling the Mysteries of Avian Cognition

Elliot Brynn in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Can a bird's singing ability tell us how smart it is? New research on New Zealand robins challenges long-held assumptions about the link between song complexity and cognitive skills."

The world of bird song is a complex tapestry woven with threads of genetics, learning, and individual expression. For decades, researchers have been captivated by the idea that the intricate melodies produced by songbirds might hold clues to their cognitive abilities. The underlying thought is that a bird capable of learning and performing a diverse repertoire of songs might also excel in other cognitive domains, such as spatial memory or problem-solving.

This idea has gained traction due to our growing understanding of the avian brain. Songbirds possess specialized brain regions dedicated to song learning and production, areas that share striking similarities with brain structures involved in motor control and complex cognitive processes in mammals. This neurological overlap suggests a potential link between singing and thinking.

However, the relationship between birdsong and cognition is far from simple. Recent research on the New Zealand robin, also known as the toutouwai (Petroica longipes), is challenging long-held assumptions and revealing the complexities of avian intelligence. This article delves into this fascinating research, exploring what it tells us about the cognitive lives of birds and the potential pitfalls of drawing simple correlations between different abilities.

The Song Sparrow Saga: A Promising Start, a Confusing Turn

New Zealand robin surrounded by musical notes and memory orbs.

Much of the initial research exploring the link between song and cognition focused on the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). Early studies seemed to offer compelling evidence: males with larger song repertoires appeared to perform better on detour-reaching tasks (which measure problem-solving skills) but worse on spatial memory tasks.

These findings suggested a possible trade-off: perhaps the brainpower dedicated to mastering a vast repertoire of songs came at the expense of spatial memory, or vice versa. However, a recent attempt to replicate this research yielded contradictory results, casting doubt on the initial conclusions.

Initial studies: Indicated a correlation between large song repertoire and better detour-reaching.
Replication attempt: Showed contradictory results, questioning initial findings.
Species-specific Variation: Prompted a need to explore relationships between song learning and cognitive performance.

This inconsistency highlighted the need to expand research beyond a single species and to consider the potential influence of ecological factors. One hypothesis suggested that caching species, which rely heavily on spatial memory to store and retrieve food, might exhibit different relationships between song and cognition compared to non-caching species like the song sparrow.

Looking Ahead: Untangling the Complex Web of Avian Cognition

The research on New Zealand robins serves as a reminder that the relationship between song and cognition is likely far more complex than initially imagined. It underscores the importance of considering species-specific ecologies, learning styles, and selective pressures when investigating the cognitive lives of animals. Future research should focus on developing more robust measures of both song learning and cognitive performance, exploring the underlying neural mechanisms, and expanding the scope of investigation to a wider range of species. Ultimately, unraveling the mysteries of avian cognition will require a multifaceted approach that embraces the complexity and diversity of the natural world.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.intell.2018.10.009, Alternate LINK

Title: Male New Zealand Robin (Petroica Longipes) Song Repertoire Size Does Not Correlate With Cognitive Performance In The Wild

Subject: Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

Journal: Intelligence

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Regan D. Mackinlay, Rachael C. Shaw

Published: 2019-05-01

Everything You Need To Know

How did the New Zealand robin research change what we thought about bird song and intelligence?

The study on New Zealand robins, also known as toutouwai (Petroica longipes), challenges the straightforward idea that complex songs directly indicate higher cognitive abilities. The research suggests that the connection between a bird's song and its intelligence is more intricate. It highlights the importance of considering factors beyond just song complexity when assessing a bird's cognitive skills.

What did the studies on song sparrows reveal about the link between singing and problem-solving?

Early research on song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) initially suggested that males with larger song repertoires performed better on detour-reaching tasks, which measure problem-solving, but worse on spatial memory tasks. However, a more recent replication attempt produced contradictory results, casting doubt on the initial findings. This inconsistency emphasizes the need for broader research across different species and a consideration of ecological factors.

Did the original research on song sparrows suggest any trade-offs in cognitive skills?

The initial studies on song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) revealed a potential trade-off between cognitive abilities. It was suggested that dedicating brainpower to mastering a vast repertoire of songs might compromise spatial memory, or vice versa. However, the contradictory results from a replication attempt emphasize the complexity of avian cognition and the need for further investigation to confirm or refute this trade-off.

What kinds of studies are needed to better understand bird intelligence?

Future studies on avian cognition should focus on developing more reliable measurements for both song learning and cognitive performance. These studies should explore the underlying neural mechanisms, investigate a wider range of species, and consider species-specific ecologies, learning styles, and selective pressures. The goal is to understand the intricate relationships between different aspects of avian intelligence.

How might a bird's environment and lifestyle affect how song relates to thinking skills?

The research indicates that ecological factors, such as whether a species caches food, might influence the relationship between song and cognition. Caching species, which rely heavily on spatial memory to store and retrieve food, could exhibit different relationships between song and cognition compared to non-caching species like the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). These species-specific variations need further exploration.