ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

A bird uses syntax to convey meaning, a first among non-human animals

The Japanese great tit, a bird closely related to the more familiar North American chickadee, uses complex calls in different contexts to convey different meaning. These "words" are stringed together to form compound messages -- evidence of a sophisticated communication system based on syntax. This is the first time syntax has been shown to occur in non-human animals.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
March 9, 2016
in Animals, Biology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

The Japanese great tit, a bird closely related to the more familiar North American chickadee, uses complex calls in different contexts to convey different meaning. These “words” are stringed together to form compound messages — evidence of a sophisticated communication system based on syntax. This is the first time syntax has been shown to occur in non-human animals.

the japanese great tit
The Japanese great tit, a songbird capable of conveying meaning using syntax. Credit: TOSHITAKA SUZUKI

“We now have good evidence that animal communication systems share many of the basic properties of human language,” said Toshitaka Suzuki, lead author of the study appearing in Nature. “For example, mammals and birds can use specific call types to denote specific objects, and Japanese great tits can combine different ‘words’ to send a compound message.”

The researchers focused on specific notes tweeted by tits like  A, B, C and D.  When A,B and C are tweeted in this very order, the call instructs any tit tot “scan for danger”. The note D alone  carries instructions to “approach me, the caller”. When ABC-D are tweeted in this order, the birds essentially convey “scan for danger, then come to me”.

When the researchers played this call to 21 Japanese great tits, most birds did as instructed surveying their surroundings then approaching the speaker. When the order of the chirps was reversed to D-CBA the birds did not respond. It probably sounded like nonsense.

By combine distinct elements of their vocalizations to convey compound meaning, the Japanese great tit seems to use syntax, according to the authors who published their paper in Nature Communications.

This skill isn’t innate. Nestlings seem to use a limited call repertoire associated with begging, hunger or distress. As they grow, the baby birds copy the parents and learn to vocalize and communicate like adults.

In fact, the Japanese great tit may have the upper hand over human speech. People can only produce one sound at a time, but the tit can control two sides of their syrinx independently so they can emit two distinct sounds at the same time.

Previously,  studies on Campbell’s monkeys revealed that they have two specific predator alarm calls which they can change into a general distress call by adding a single suffix. In 2015, scientists showed that the aptly named  blabber birds can  arrange meaningless sounds to form messages.  Just like the Japanese great tit, blabber birds seem to employ syntax although their behaviour wasn’t as rigorously demonstrated. Many other non-human animals may employ such sophisticated language. Whatever’s the case, every day it seems like the perceived gap between human and non-human behaviour is narrowed.

RelatedPosts

That flowing briny water on Mars? It might just be sand
Ocean of magma blasted into space may explain how the moon formed
Shifting to Healthier Eating Can Add a Decade to Your Life
After millions of tests, researchers find the most promising compounds against malaria

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Health

Tennis May Add Nearly 10 Years to Your Life and Most People Are Ignoring It

byTibi Puiu
1 day ago
Anthropology

Humans Have Been Reshaping Earth with Fire for at Least 50,000 Years

byTudor Tarita
2 days ago
Biology

The Strangest Microbe Ever Found Straddles The Line Between Life and Non-Life

byTudor Tarita
2 days ago
News

This $8750 Watch Was Designed for Space and Could Finally Replace Apollo-era Omega Watches

byTudor Tarita
2 days ago

Recent news

Tennis May Add Nearly 10 Years to Your Life and Most People Are Ignoring It

July 4, 2025

Humans Have Been Reshaping Earth with Fire for at Least 50,000 Years

July 4, 2025

The Strangest Microbe Ever Found Straddles The Line Between Life and Non-Life

July 4, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.