Vocal learning

Vocal learning is the ability of animals to modify vocal signals in form as a result of experience with those of other individuals. This can lead to signals that are either similar or dissimilar to the model. A more restrictive definition limits vocal learning to cases where animals learn to produce sounds not included in their genetic repertoire, by mimicking what they hear in their acoustic environment.

Occurrence
A classical example of vocal learning is birdsong in the bird species whose repertoire is not entirely innate – songbirds, parrots and hummingbirds. In mammals, seals and cetaceans have been found to have this capacity as well. Further reports exist on bats and elephants.

In evolutionary psychology, human speech and vocal music are regarded as complex forms of vocal learning.