ADULT FEMALE DOMESTICATED CANARIES CAN MODIFY THEIR SONG PREFERENCES

Previous research has shown that acoustic experiences in early life in fluence song preferences in female domesticated canaries, Serinus cana ria. We do not know, however, if they can modify song preferences in a dulthood. In the experiments reported here, one group of young female domesticated canaries was reared in acoustic isolation in early life w ithout song tutoring, while two groups were tutored with a playback so ng (one with wild canary song and one with domesticated canary song). We tested these three groups of females once they had reached adulthoo d, prior to breeding, using copulation-solicitation displays as an ind ex of their song preferences. The females were then placed in an aviar y with males during the breeding period. after which they were reteste d. We observed that the song preferences of females reared in acoustic isolation and those tutored with wild canary song had changed. These females were able to develop new song preferences in adult life. These results are discussed in relation to current views on song preference s and sexual imprinting.