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Experimental evidence for compositional syntax in bird calls

Author

Listed:
  • Toshitaka N. Suzuki

    (SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)
    Rikkyo University)

  • David Wheatcroft

    (Uppsala University)

  • Michael Griesser

    (Anthropological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich)

Abstract

Human language can express limitless meanings from a finite set of words based on combinatorial rules (i.e., compositional syntax). Although animal vocalizations may be comprised of different basic elements (notes), it remains unknown whether compositional syntax has also evolved in animals. Here we report the first experimental evidence for compositional syntax in a wild animal species, the Japanese great tit (Parus minor). Tits have over ten different notes in their vocal repertoire and use them either solely or in combination with other notes. Experiments reveal that receivers extract different meanings from ‘ABC’ (scan for danger) and ‘D’ notes (approach the caller), and a compound meaning from ‘ABC–D’ combinations. However, receivers rarely scan and approach when note ordering is artificially reversed (‘D–ABC’). Thus, compositional syntax is not unique to human language but may have evolved independently in animals as one of the basic mechanisms of information transmission.

Suggested Citation

  • Toshitaka N. Suzuki & David Wheatcroft & Michael Griesser, 2016. "Experimental evidence for compositional syntax in bird calls," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10986
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10986
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    Cited by:

    1. Takuto Kawaji & Mizuki Fujibayashi & Kentaro Abe, 2024. "Goal-directed and flexible modulation of syllable sequence within birdsong," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Maël Leroux & Anne M. Schel & Claudia Wilke & Bosco Chandia & Klaus Zuberbühler & Katie E. Slocombe & Simon W. Townsend, 2023. "Call combinations and compositional processing in wild chimpanzees," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Toshitaka N. Suzuki & Yui K. Matsumoto, 2022. "Experimental evidence for core-Merge in the vocal communication system of a wild passerine," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. Pratyusha Sharma & Shane Gero & Roger Payne & David F. Gruber & Daniela Rus & Antonio Torralba & Jacob Andreas, 2024. "Contextual and combinatorial structure in sperm whale vocalisations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Sabrina Engesser & Amanda R Ridley & Marta B Manser & Andri Manser & Simon W Townsend, 2018. "Internal acoustic structuring in pied babbler recruitment cries specifies the form of recruitment," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 29(5), pages 1021-1030.

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