How Do Birds Sing?

 One might suppose that the ability of birds to sing is simply due to a built-in instinct. However, a recent study of the zebra finch reveals something incredibly complex. When a baby zebra finch hears the song of its father, a rapid regulation of gene networks in the finch’s brain is triggered. While the study is scientific and technical, in simple terms it describes the discovery of a learning mechanism, somewhat like that of the human capability of learning speech. It involves the brain anatomy and circuitry and the neurochemicals in the little bird’s brain!

Some of the hundreds of identified genes involved are part of the complex regulatory networks in the male zebra finch’s brain that give it the ability to learn elaborate songs from its father. Some of these genes were once considered “junk” or non-essential but are now known to be necessary for this song-learning ability. It is now understood that these non-protein coding ribonucleic acids (RNA) are involved in enabling the baby finch to make sounds until it gradually masters, by imitation, the “finch song” sung by the father. When mature, he will pass it on to his offspring.

These biologist’s make an interesting admission regarding their discovery: “Despite these advances, our basic understanding of the molecular components and key regulatory features of song-regulated gene programs are still relatively limited... Hundreds of genes have been implicated, highlighting the staggering complexity of song-regulated cascades... The rush of recent publications documenting the complexities of the zebra finch genome suggest that the songbird community is well on its way to realizing the potential of using genomics tools for understanding how the environment, experience, and the genome interact to produce the complex and adaptive behavior of vocal learning in birds” (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/9/35). Such a small creature—yet with such complexity that science is only beginning to discover.

Similar to human vocal cords, birds have a syrinx. Some have such neural and muscular control with sub-millisecond precision that they can even mimic human speech. When Polly “says” she is a pretty bird and wants a cracker, she is well deserving of one! And praiseworthy also is the zebra finch and all of the other creatures made by God.

The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth and all of the animals and birds (Genesis 1:20). Many birds have beautiful plumage in all variety of colors and designs. They construct nests in amazing places and with equally amazing techniques. Some build their nests of grass, twigs, reeds, and sticks or even of mud. Some have nests in holes and crevices in trees and in rocks. And of course, the ability of birds to fly, soaring like the eagle, diving like a pelican, hunting like a hawk or an owl, hovering like a hummingbird, or taking off on water like a swan is a beautiful and wonderful thing to behold.

Some birds can sing beautifully. Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise to God for His creation. In making mention of the birds, it says: “By them the birds of the heavens have their home; they sing among the branches” (v. 12). Singing birds are one of the loveliest parts of God’s creation that adds joy and enriches our lives. And in beholding even just this single aspect of God’s creation and His incredible creative power and ability, we can see why the Psalmist says, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being” (v. 33).

God’s creativity and glorious touch can be seen through the glorious of creation. This is one of the proofs of His existence: to learn more, order your free copy of The Real God: Proofs and Promises.