Budgerigars are small parrots that, like songbirds, have a complex, learned vocal repertoire. Previous findings in the Dooling lab have indicated that budgerigars, like humans, exhibit the Lombard effect - altering the intensity of their vocalizations in response to an increase in ambient noise level (Manabe et al., 1998). Pilot work that I have completed extends these findings in the frequency domain and suggests that budgerigars may only be able to alter the pitch of their vocalizations by a few hundred Hz or less. Here I propose to explore the potential mechanisms underlying vocal production in budgerigars using operant conditioning methods. Specifically, I will examine the typical range of acoustic variation (especially in the frequency, duration, and amplitude domains) measured in the contact calls of these birds and whether these birds can alter the various acoustic parameters of their calls. I am especially interested in determining the limits of acoustic change in contact call production. Results of these studies will contribute greatly to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying vocal production in this species and also offer insights into vocal behavior generally through comparisons with both songbirds and humans. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31DC006766-02
Application #
6885763
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2004-04-16
Project End
2007-04-15
Budget Start
2005-04-16
Budget End
2006-04-15
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$34,437
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland College Park
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
790934285
City
College Park
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20742
Tu, Hsiao-Wei; Osmanski, Michael S; Dooling, Robert J (2011) Learned vocalizations in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus): the relationship between contact calls and warble song. J Acoust Soc Am 129:2289-97
Osmanski, Michael S; Dooling, Robert J (2009) The effect of altered auditory feedback on control of vocal production in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Acoust Soc Am 126:911-9