U.S.-Venezuelan Doctoral Dissertation: Acquisition of Vocal Signatures in Wild Parrots

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U.S.-Venezuelan Dissertation: Acquisition of Vocal Signatures in Wild Parrots 0825675Jack W. Bradbury, Cornell University-State This award will support dissertation research for Karl Berg, a Ph.D. student at Cornell University-State. The Principal Investigator for this award is Dr. Jack W. Bradbury from Cornell University-State. The research will be done in collaboration with Dr. Virginia Sanz of the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, Venezuela. Dr. Sanz is a well known ornithologist who has expertise in the area of dispersal of juvenile parrotlets. The present study complements the PI?s research on vocal learning in wild parrots by incorporating Green-rumped Parrotlets in Venezuela. The proposed activity will address two questions: how do nestlings acquire their signature contact calls, and how are dynamic changes in call structure used in "social negotiation" within mated pairs. This research into the early learning phase could be helpful to conservation programs that target threatened parrot populations.