A novel, non-auditory learning paradigm reveals that songbirds can modify their vocal output based on somatosensory signals and that a common set of brain pathways underlies both this form of vocal learning and auditory-guided vocal learning.

Midbrain dopaminergic neurons and a cortex-like structure called the arcopallium form part of a circuit that enables young songbirds to compare their own song with a template stored in memory, and use any discrepancies to improve their performance.

Songbirds can use arbitrary visual cues to immediately, flexibly and adaptively control syntax of learned song vocalizations in a manner that parallels human cognitive control over syllable sequencing in speech.

Co-evolution of sexually dimorphic reinforcement systems for song can explain the coexistence of the seemingly contradictory traits of gregariousness and monogamy in social songbirds.

Activity in cortico-basal ganglia circuits of juvenile songbirds reflects evaluative signals necessary for comparing self-generated behavior to a goal representation during skill learning.

Molecular and electrophysiological evidence shows that Kv3 subunits contribute critically to ultrashort action potential waveforms and high-frequency firing in large projection neurons in zebra finch motor nuclei controlling song production and somatic movements.

A forebrain nucleus contributes specifically to the variability of syllable sequencing in songs of Bengalese finches, a songbird with complex syntactic song structure.

The neuromodulator acetylcholine contributes to state-dependent modulation of motor vigor and variability by direct action on songbird premotor cortex, bypassing basal ganglia circuitry.

Zebra finches are capable of overt vocal planning, but to reach a distant vocal target beyond the range of recently produced pitch requires both practice and auditory feedback.

A longer birdsong-learning window evolves in response to sexual selection for song complexity and is associated with faster evolution of song performance characteristics.