Scientists used AI to analyse 116,000 birdsongs, identify eight common motifs

According to the research, a birdsong is shaped by both evolution and the environment. (Nature TTL) Birds may sound different depending, but scientists have now found that many of their songs are built from the same basic set of sound patterns. A new global study has identified eight recurring motifs that appear in the songs of thousands of bird species. It also explains why birds living in forests sing differently from those in open landscapes.According to the research, a birdsong is shaped by both evolution and the environment. A bird inherits many features of its song from its ancestors and the place where it lives also plays an important role. Dense forests, humidity and long communication distances can affect how sound travels, leading birds to use songs that are easier to hear.The findings, published in the journal Science, reported Science X, are based on one of the largest studies of birdsong ever carried out. Researchers analysed more than 116,000 song recordings from 3,160 species of passerine birds collected from around the world through citizen science projects.A global framework for birdsongBirdsong is more than pleasant background sound. Birds use songs to attract mat...