Spot of Understanding

Male zebra finch sings to its mate - Image from Science Daily

Singing has always been one of the time tested ways to attract someone you love. For birds this is a way of life. Researchers at the Riken Brain Science Institute in Saitama, Japan have found that when a male zebra finch crooned to a potential mate certain neurons in the brain got activated. In the human equivalent parts of the brain, these areas are activated when an individual takes drugs and obtains a high, following the release of dopamine. In the finch's brains, singing triggered a feeling of reward. According to Neal Hessler, "It's the clearest evidence so far that singing to a female is rewarding for male birds."

Read more on the findings and watch the video

How birds hold singing contests to obtain mates