MichaelD. Beecher updated 7 September 2015
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MichaelBeecher Melospizamelodia Mt Rainier viewed from UW campus
Professor of Psychology & BiologyDepartment of Psychology
University of Washington latestmedia news
Seattle, Washington 98195 Revenge of the songsparrow
(206/543-6545) moremedia news
(email: beecher@u.washington.edu) mdb cv Lab‘Show and Tell’ ppt show
Current Research:
Mylaboratory is studying the function and the development of bird song. Our studyspecies is the song sparrow(Melospizamelodia). Although we have worked in both the lab and the field, ourpresent research is entirely in the field.
Theuse of elaborate acoustic vocalizations (‘song’) for communication is common ina wide variety of animal groups. In the oscine passerines (songbirds), song hasan additional, intriguing aspect: it is learned, with much of that learningoccurring very early in life. Song learning in songbirds has been extensivelyanalyzed in the laboratory and has become a major model system for studying theneurobiology of learning. Its value as a model system is enhanced by its manyparallels with human language learning. These parallels include an earlysensitive period, a perceptual filtering mechanism tuned to speciescommunication signals, a crucial role for auditory feedback in normaldevelopment, a separation between sensory and motor learning, and an earlysubsong or babbling stage. Work on the neural basis of song perception andproduction in songbirds has revealed additional parallels between the neuralcenters for song in birds and those for language in humans. In this context,understanding the normal course of song development in songbirds becomescrucial if this model system is going to provide general insights into thedevelopment of vocal communication systems in general and human language inparticular.
Despitethe great interest in bird song learning, our understanding of normal bird songdevelopment remains surprisingly incomplete. One reason this is so is becausemost studies of song learning to date have been laboratory experiments fromwhich essentially all social features have been removed. Recent research hassuggested, however, that social factors may be the key to understanding songlearning. Our primary interest now is in the role of social factors in songlearning.
Publications: These are grouped below according as follows:
(1)our research since 1988 on song learning, function andperception in song sparrows;
(2)our earlier comparative work on individualidentification and recognition in swallows;
(3)our work relating to auditory perception and/orvocal communication in primates (and birds other than song sparrows);
(4)assorted other papers not fitting into thesecategories.
[Note: Underlined titles are linked to aWord or PDF file if unpublished or pre-proofs, to PDF file if in proofs orpublished. PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. The published papers havebeen published in the journal indicated, which is the only definitiverepository of the content that has been certified and accepted after peerreview. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by the publisher. Thismaterial is for individual use only and may not be copied or re-posted withoutexplicit permission.]
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(1)Song learning, song perception and song function in songsparrows (1988 to present)
Akçay, Ç, McCune, K., Campbell, S. E.& Beecher, M. D. (in prep.)Competition not cooperation drives song learning in song sparrows.
Akçay, Ç, Campbell, S. E. &Beecher, M. D. (in review) Aggressiveness,reliable signaling and survival in a wild songbird.
Beecher, M. D. (in press).Communication, information & language. InHandbook of Comparative Psychology, American PsychologicalAssociation.
Akçay, Ç. & Beecher, M. D. (2015)Team ofrivals in chipping sparrows? A comment on Goodwin & Podos.Biology Letters 11, 20141043.
Akçay, Ç., Anderson, R., Nowicki, S.Beecher, M. D & Searcy, W. A. (2015)Quietthreats: soft song as an aggressive signal in birds.Animal Behaviour 105, 267-274.
Akçay, Ç, Reed, V. A., Campbell, S. E.& Beecher, M. D. (2014) Song sparrows donot learn more songs from aggressive tutors. AnimalBehaviour, 94, 151-159.
Searcy, W. A., Akçay, Ç., Nowicki, S.& Beecher, M. D. (2014) Aggressivesignaling in song sparrows and other songbirds.Advances in the Study of Behavior, 46. 89-125.
Akçay, Ç, Campbell, S. E. & Beecher,M. D. (2014)Individualdifferences affect honest signalling in a songbird.Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B., 281, 20132496
Beecher, M. D. & Akçay, Ç. (2014)Friendsand enemies: how social dynamics shape communication and song learning in songsparrows. In Yasukawa, K. (editor)AnimalBehavior, Volume 3, pp. 33-61, Preager: Santa Barbara, CA.
Akçay, Ç., Tom, M., Campbell, S. E.& Beecher, M. D. (2013) Songtype matching is an honest early threat signal in a hierarchical animalcommunication system. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London,Series B., 280, 20122517.
Templeton, C. N., Akçay, Ç., Campbell,S. E. & Beecher, M. D. (2012) Softsong is a reliable signal of aggressive intent in song sparrows. BehavioralEcology & Sociobiology, 66, 1503–1509.
Templeton, C. N., Campbell, S. E.& Beecher, M. D. (2012) Territorial songsparrows tolerate juveniles during the early song-learning phase.Behavioral Ecology, 23, 916-923.
Templeton, C. N., Burt, J.M.,Campbell. S. E., Lent, K., Brenowitz, E. A. & Beecher, M. D. (2012)Immediateand long-term effects of testosterone on song plasticity and learning injuvenile song sparrows.BehaviouralProcesses, 90, 254-260.
Akçay, Ç. & Beecher, M. D. (2012)Signallingwhile fighting: further comments on soft song.Animal Behaviour. 83, e1-e3.
Akçay, Ç, Searcy, W. A., Reed, V. A.,Templeton, C. N., Campbell, S. E. & Beecher, M. D. (2012) Whoinitiates extra-pair mating in song sparrows? BehavioralEcology,23, 44-50.
Templeton, C. N., Reed, V. A.,, Campbell.S. E. & Beecher, M. D. (2012)Spatialmovements and social networks in juvenile male song sparrows.Behavioral Ecology, 23, 141-152.
Akçay, Ç, Tom, M., Holmes, D.,Campbell, S. E. & Beecher, M. D. (2011)Singsoftly and carry a big stick: soft song as an aggressive signal in songsparrows.Animal Behaviour,82,377-382.
Searcy, W. A. & Beecher, M. D.(2011)Continuedscepticism that song overlapping is a signal.Animal Behaviour, 81, e1-e4.
Hill, C. E., Akçay, C., Campbell, S.E. & Beecher, M. D. (2011)Extra-pairpaternity, song and genetic quality in song sparrows.Behavioral Ecology, 22, 73-81.
Akçay, Ç, Reed, V. A., Campbell, S. E.& Beecher, M. D. (2010)Indirectreciprocity in territorial defence by song sparrows.Animal Behaviour,80,1041-1047.
Nulty, B., Burt, J. M., Akçay, Ç.,Templeton, C. N., Campbell, S. E. & Beecher, M. D. (2010)Songlearning in song sparrows: Relative importance of autumn vs. spring tutoring.Ethology, 116, 653-661.
Beecher, M. D. (2010).Birdsong andvocal learning during development. In Koob, G. F., Le Moal, M. &Thompson, R. F. (editors) Encyclopedia ofNeuroscience,Volume 1, 164-168.
Templeton, C. N., Akçay, Ç., Campbell,S. E. & Beecher, M. D. (2009)Juvenilesparrows preferentially eavesdrop on adult song interactions.Proceedings of the Royal Society of London,Series B.277, 447-453.
Searcy, W. A. & Beecher, M. D.(2009)Songas an aggressive signal in songbirds.AnimalBehaviour,78, 1281-1292.
Akçay, C., Wood, W. E., Searcy, W. A.,Templeton, C. N., Campbell, S. E. & Beecher, M. D. (2009)Goodneighbour, bad neighbour: Song sparrows retaliate against aggressive rivals.Animal Behaviour, 78, 97-102.
Beecher, M. D. (2008)Functionand mechanisms of song learning in song sparrows.Advances in the Study of Behavior, 38, 167-225.
Burt, J. M. & Beecher, M. D.(2008)Thesocial interaction role of song in song sparrows: implications for signaldesign.Comparative Cognition &Behavior Reviews, 3, 86-98.
Beecher, M. D. & Burt, J. M.(2008) More on the cognitive ecology of song communication and song learning inthe song sparrow. In R. Dukas & J. Ratcliffe (eds.),Cognitive Ecology II, pp. 49-70, Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press.
Beecher, M. D., Burt, J. M.,O’Loghlen, A. L., Templeton, C. N. & Campbell, S. E. (2007)Bird song learning inan eavesdropping context.AnimalBehaviour, 73, 929-935.
Burt, J. M., O’Loghlen, A. L.,Templeton, C. N., Campbell, S. E. & Beecher, M. D., (2007)Assessing theimportance of social factors in bird song learning: A test usingcomputer-simulated tutors.Ethology,113, 917-925.
Nordby, J. C., Campbell, S. E. & BeecherM. D. (2007)Selectiveattrition and individual song repertoire development in song sparrows.Animal Behaviour, 74, 1413-1418.
Beecher, M. D. & Brenowitz, E. A.(2005)Functionalaspects of song learning in birds.Trendsin Ecology & Evolution, 20, 143-149.
Brenowitz, E. A. & Beecher, M. D.(2005)Songlearning in birds: Diversity and plasticity, opportunities and challenges.Trends in Neuroscience, 28, 127-132.
Beecher, M. D. & Campbell, S. E.(2005)Therole of unshared songs in singing interactions between neighbouring songsparrows.Animal Behaviour, 70,1297-1304.
Beecher, M. D. & Burt, J. M.(2004)Therole of social interaction in bird song learning.Current Directions in Psychological Science, 13, 224-228.
Reeves, B. J., Brenowitz, E. A. &Beecher, M. D. (2003) Seasonal changes in avian song control circuits do notcause seasonal changes in song discrimination in song sparrows.Journal of Neurobiology, 57, 119-129.
Nordby, J. C., Campbell, S. E. &Beecher M. D. (2002)Adult song sparrowsdo not alter their song repertoires.Ethology,108, 39-50.
Burt, J. M., Bard, S. C., Campbell, S.E. & Beecher, M. D. (2002)Alternative forms ofsong matching in song sparrows.AnimalBehaviour, 63, 1143-1151.
Nordby, J. C., Campbell, S. E. &Beecher M. D. (2001)Late song learning insong sparrows.Animal Behaviour,61, 835-846.
Burt, J. M., Campbell, S. E. &Beecher, M. D. (2001)Song type matching asthreat: a test using interactive playback.Animal Behaviour, 62, 1163-1170.
Beecher M. D., Campbell, S. E., Burt, J.M., Hill, C. E. & Nordby, J. C. (2000).Song-type matchingbetween neighbouring song sparrows.AnimalBehaviour, 59, 21-27.
Beecher, M. D., Campbell, S. E. &Nordby J. C. (2000).Territory tenure insong sparrows is related to song sharing with neighbors, but not to repertoiresize.Animal Behaviour, 59,29-37.
Nordby, J. C., Campbell, S. E., Burt,J. M. & Beecher M. D. (2000)Social influencesduring song development in the song sparrow: a laboratory experiment simulatingfield conditions.Animal Behaviour,59, 1187-1197.
Peters, S., Searcy, W. A., Beecher, M.D. & Nowicki, S. (2000) Geographic variation in the organization of songsparrow repertoires.Auk, 117,936-942.
Nordby J. C. , Campbell, S. E &Beecher, M. D. (1999).Ecological correlatesof song learning in song sparrows.BehavioralEcology, 10, 287-297.
O'Loghlen, A. L.& Beecher, M. D. (1999).Mate,neighbour and stranger songs: a female song sparrow perspective.Animal Behaviour, 58, 13-20.
Hill, C. E., Campbell, S. E., Nordby,J. C., Burt, J. M. & Beecher, M. D. (1999).Song sharing intwo populations of song sparrows.BehavioralEcology & Sociobiology, 46, 341-349.
Beecher, M. D., Campbell, S. E. &Nordby J. C. (1998). The cognitive ecology of song communication and songlearning in the song sparrow. In R. Dukas (Ed.),Cognitive Ecology, pp. 175-199, Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press.
O'Loghlen, A. L.& Beecher, M. D. (1997).Sexualpreferences for mate song types in female song sparrows.Animal Behaviour, 53, 835-841.
Smith, G. T., Brenowitz, E. A.,Beecher, M. D. & Wingfield, J. C. (1997). Seasonal changes in testosterone,neural attributes of song control nuclei, and song structure in wild songbirds.Journal of Neuroscience, 17,6001-6010.
Beecher, M. D., Nordby J. C.,Campbell, S. E, Burt, J. M., Hill, C. E. & O'Loghlen, A. O. (1997). What isthe function of song learning in songbirds? In Owings, D. H., Beecher, M. D.& Thompson, N. S. (Eds.),Perspectivesin Ethology, Vol. 12: Communication, pp. 77-97, New York: Plenum Press.
Beecher, M. D., Stoddard, P. K., Campbell, S. E., & Horning,C. L. (1996).Repertoirematching between neighbouring song sparrows.Animal Behaviour, 51, 917-923.
Beecher, M. D. (1996). Bird songlearning in the laboratory and the field. In D. E. Kroodsma & E. L. Miller(Eds.),Ecology and Evolution of AcousticCommunication in Birds, pp. 61-78, Ithaca, NY: Cornell.
Beecher, M. D., Campbell, S. E. & Stoddard, P. K. (1994).Correlation of songlearning and territory establishment strategies in the song sparrow.Proceedings of the National Academy ofSciences, 91, 1450-1454.
Beecher, M. D., Campbell, S. E. & Burt, J. (1994).Song perception inthe song sparrow: Birds classify by song type but not by singer.Animal Behaviour, 47, 1343-1351.
Horning, C. L, Beecher, M. D., Stoddard, P. K. & Campbell, S.E. (1993). Song perception in the song sparrow: Importance of different partsof the song in song type classification.Ethology,94, 46-58.
Stoddard, P. K., Beecher, M. D., Horning, C. H. & Campbell, S.E. (1992). Song type matching in the song sparrow.Canadian Journal of Zoology, 70, 1440-1444.
Stoddard, P. K., Beecher, M. D., Loesche, P. & Campbell, S. E.(1992).Memorydoes not constrain individual recognition in a bird with song repertoires.Behaviour, 122, 274-287.
Stoddard, P. K., Beecher, M. D., Horning, C. H. & Campbell, S.E. (1991)Recognitionof individual neighbors by song in the song sparrow, a bird with songrepertoires.Behavioral Ecology andSociobiology, 29, 211-215.
Beecher, M. D. & Stoddard, P. K. (1990). The role of bird songand calls in individual recognition: Contrasting field and laboratory perspectives.In Berkley, M. & Stebbins, W. C. (Eds.),Comparative Perception – Vol. II: Complex Signals, pp. 375-408, NewYork: Wiley.
Stoddard, P. K., Beecher, M. D., Horning, C. H. & Willis, M. S.(1990). Strong neighbor-stranger discrimination in song sparrows.Condor, 97, 1051-1056.
Stoddard, P. K., Beecher, M. D. & Willis, M. S. (1988).Response of territorial male song sparrows to song types and variations.Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 22,125-130.
2.Individualidentification and recognition in swallows
Beecher, M. D., Beecher, I. M., & Lumpkin,S. (1981).Parent-offspringrecognition in bank swallows (Ripariariparia): I. Natural history.AnimalBehaviour,29, 86-94.
Beecher, M. D., Beecher, I. M., & Hahn, S.(1981).Parent-offspringrecognition in bank swallows (Ripariariparia): II. Acoustic basis.AnimalBehaviour,29, 95-101.
Beecher, M. D. (1981). Development ofparent-offspring recognition in birds. In Aslin, R., Alberts, J., &Petersen, M. R. (Eds.),Development ofPerception, Academic, pp. 45-61.
Beecher, M. D. (1982).Signature systems andkin recognition.American Zoologist,22, 477-490.
Beecher, I. M. & Beecher, M. D. (1983).Sibling recognition in bank swallows.Zeitschriftfur Tierpsychologie (Ethology),62, 145-150.
Stoddard, P. K. & Beecher, M. D. (1983).Parentalrecognition of offspring in the Cliff Swallow.Auk,100, 795-799.
Beecher, M. D., Stoddard, P. K., &Loesche, P. (1985).Recognitionof parents' voices by young cliff swallows.Auk,102, 600-605.
Medvin, M. B., & Beecher, M. D. (1986).Parent-offspringrecognition in the barn swallow.AnimalBehaviour,34, 1627-1639.
Beecher, M. D., Medvin, M. B., Stoddard, P.K., & Loesche, P. (1986). Acoustic adaptations for parent-offspringrecognition in swallows.Experimental Biology,45, 179-193.
Beecher, M. D. (1988).Kin recognitionin birds.Behavior Genetics,18, 465-482.
Beecher, M. D. (1989).Signalingsystems for individual recognition: an information theory approach.Animal Behaviour,38, 248-261.
Beecher, M. D., Loesche, P., Stoddard, P. K.& Medvin, M. B. (1989). Individualrecognition by voice in swallows: signal or perceptual adaptation? In Dooling,R. J. & Hulse, S. H. (Eds.),TheComparative Psychology of Audition: Perceiving Complex Sounds, Erlbaum.
Beecher, M. D. (1989).Evolutionof parent-offspring recognition in swallows. In D. A. Dewsbury (Ed.),Contemporary issues in ComparativePsychology, pp. 360-380, Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer.
Beecher, M. D. & Stoddard, P. K. (1990).The role ofbird song and calls in individual recognition: Contrasting field and laboratoryperspectives. In Berkley, M. & Stebbins, W. C. (Eds.),Comparative Perception--Vol. II: ComplexSignals, pp. 375-408, New York: Wiley.
Beecher, M. D. (1991). Successes and failuresof parent-offspring recognition systems in animals. In P. G. Hepper (Ed.),Kin Recognition, pp. 94-124, CambridgeUniversity Press.
Loesche, P., *Stoddard, P. K., †Higgins, B. J.& Beecher, M. D. (1991).Signature vs. perceptualadaptations for individual vocal recognition in swallows.Behaviour, 118, 15-25.
Medvin, M. B., Stoddard, P. K. & Beecher,M. D. (1992).Signals forparent-offspring recognition: Strong sib-sib call similarity in cliff swallowsbut not barn swallows.Ethology,90, 17-28.
Loesche, P., Beecher, M. D. & Stoddard, P.K. (1992). Perception of cliff swallow calls by birds and humans.Journal of Comparative Psychology, 106,239-247.
3.Auditory perceptionand perception of species vocal communication signals in primates
Beecher, M. D. (1974). Pure-tone thresholds ofthe squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).Journal of the Acoustical Society ofAmerica,33, 196-198.
Beecher, M. D. (1974). Hearing in the owlmonkey (Aotus trivirgatus): Auditorysensitivity.Journal of Comparative andPhysiological Psychology,86,898-901.
Beecher, M. D. (1976). Studies on the hearingof the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus). In N. King & A. Jones (Eds.), “Symposiumon the Owl Monkey”,Laboratory AnimalScience,26, 1068-1072.
Moody, D. B., Beecher, M. D. & Stebbins,W. C. (1976). Behavioral methods in auditory research. In D. Smith & J.Vernon (Eds.),Handbook of AuditoryResearch, Charles C. Thomas: Springfield, Ill.
Sinnott, J. M., Beecher, M. D., Moody, D. B.& Stebbins, W. C. (1976). Speech sound discrimination by monkeys andhumans.Journal of the Acoustical Societyof America,60, 687-695.
Brown, C. H., Beecher, M. D., Moody, D. B., &Stebbins, W. C. (1978). Localization of pure tones by Old World monkeys.Journal of the Acoustical Society of America,63, 1484-1492.
Brown, C. H., Beecher, M. D., Moody, D. B.,& Stebbins, W. C. (1978). Localization of primate calls by Old Worldmonkeys.Science,201, 753-754.
Petersen, M. R., Beecher, M. D., Zoloth, S.R., Moody, D. B., & Stebbins, W. C. (1978). Neural lateralization ofspecies-specific vocalizations by Japanese macaques.Science,202, 324-327.
Beecher, M. D., Petersen, M. R., Zoloth, S.R., Moody, D. B., & Stebbins, W. C. (1979).Perceptionof conspecific vocalizations by Japanese macaques: Evidence for selectiveattention and neural lateralization.Brain,Behavior & Evolution,16,443-460.
Brown, C. H., Beecher, M. D., Moody, D. B.,& Stebbins, W. C. (1979). Locatability of vocal signals in Old Worldmonkeys: Design features for the communication of position.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology,93, 806-819.
Zoloth, S. R., Petersen, M. R., Beecher, M.D., Green, S., Marler, P., Moody, D. B., & Stebbins, W. C. (1979).Species-specific processing of vocal sounds by monkeys.Science,204, 870-873.
Brown, C. H., Beecher, M. D., Moody, D. B.,& Stebbins, W. C. (1980). Localization of noise bands by Old World monkeys.Journal of the Acoustical Society ofAmerica,68, 127-132.
Petersen, M. R., Beecher, M. D., Zoloth, S.R., Green, S., Marler, P., Moody, D. B., & Stebbins, W. C. (1984).Neurallateralization of vocalizations by Japanese macaques: Communicativesignificance is more important than acoustic structure.Behavioral Neuroscience,98, 779-790.
4.Some otherpublications
Beecher, M. D.(1971). Operant conditioning in the batPhyllostomushastatus. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 16, 219-223.
Beecher, M. D. &Jackson, D. E. (1976). Rate-dependent effect of amphetamine: Extension tobetween-subjects effect.Psychopharmacologica,46, 307-309.
Beecher, M. D. &Beecher, I. M. (1979).Sociobiologyof bank swallows: Reproductive strategy of the male.Science, 205, 1282-1285.
Medvin, M. B., Beecher, M. D. & Andelman,S. A. (1987). Extra adults at the nest in barn swallows.Condor, 89, 179-182.
Beecher, M. D. (1988). Theadaptationist approach to learning. In Bolles, R. C. & Beecher, M. D.(Eds.) ,Evolution and Learning,Erlbaum.
Bolles, R. C. & Beecher, M. D.(1988).Evolution and Learning,Erlbaum.
Beecher, M. D. (1988).Spectrographicanalysis of bird vocalizations: Implications of the uncertainty principle.Bioacoustics, 1, 187-208.
Schwagmeyer, P. L., Mock, D. W.,Lamey, T. C., Lamey, C. S. & Beecher, M. D. (1991). Effects of siblingconflict on hatch timing in an asynchronously hatching bird.Animal Behaviour, 41, 887-894.
Owings, D. H., Beecher, M. D. &Thompson, N. S. (Eds.) (1997).Perspectivesin Ethology, Vol. 12: Communication. New York: Plenum Press.
Marean, G. C., Burt, J., Beecher, M. D. & Rubel, E. W. (1993).Hair cell regeneration in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris): Recovery ofpure-tone detection threshold.HearingResearch, 71, 125-136.
Marean, G. C., Cunningham, D., Burt,J., Beecher, M. D. & Rubel, E. W (1995). Regenerated hair cells in theEuropean starling: Are they more resistant to kanamycin ototoxicity thanoriginal hair cells?Hearing Research,82, 267-276.
Marean, G. C., Burt, J., Beecher, M.D. & Rubel, E. W. (1998). Auditory perception following hair cellregeneration in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris): Frequency andtemporal resolution.Journal of theAcoustical Society of America,103, 3567-3580.
Burt, J. M., Lent, K. L, Beecher, M.D. & Brenowitz, E. A. (2000). Lesions of avian song nucleus lMAN in femalecanaries affect song perception in an operant task.Journal of Neurobiology, 42, 1-13.
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