Preprint of probably our coolest paper is ready! Building on evidence of multi-level structure in magpie sequences we show they use predictable second-order rules (each call depends on the previous pair of calls occurring together) with fledglings learning these rules gradually from their group! 🦅📢

Socially learned call sequences reveal gradual development of higher-order structure

Syntax was long considered to distinguish human language from other vocal systems, with parallels in non-human animals historically limited to song. However, song lacks discrete meaning, which is a cr...

biorxiv.org

Dr Stephanie Mason @stephaniellaura.bsky.social has studied Australian magpies, and has found that these clever birds combine their calls. What do they sound like? And what does this mean for language? Find out in our new episode! becauselanguage.com/139-magpie-s...

Briefly left my researcher cave to chat to Channel 10 about magpie sequence learning! Link below: www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bhp...

Young magpies learn to combine calls into "sentences" much like human toddlers: through listening to family and friends! Now available to read at @royalsocietypublishing.org @mandyridley.bsky.social @stephanielking.bsky.social @ceb-uwa.bsky.social royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...

Ontogenetic evidence of socially learned call sequences in Western Australian magpies

Abstract. Combinatoriality is the capacity to combine discrete vocal elements into larger structures. Previously thought unique to human language, combinat

royalsocietypublishing.org

My thesis is finally available to read! 🐦‍⬛✨ doi.org/10.26182/jdj... Through a longitudinal study of magpie vocal development we uncover the first evidence outside humans of learned semantic call sequences! Huge thanks @mandyridley.bsky.social @stephanielking.bsky.social and Dr Sarah Walsh

Looking very exhausted after presenting my poster too many times in an hour but very happy to have won 📣🐥 Was a brilliant day with many engaging posters and great science with everything from dugongs, to dunnarts to someone (we won’t name names @hasbeanbeetle.bsky.social) handing out live beetles…

Exit seminar done! From the very first inklings of social learning in magpie sequences to finding that it’s the hierarchical ordering rules of their group members that they learn gradually over time, it was a brilliant feeling being able to tell the story of my data over the last 3.5 years! 🐣🐥🦅

It's official! PhD submitted. Thanks to @mandyridley.bsky.social, @stephanielking.bsky.social and Dr Sarah Walsh for everything, particularly over the last few months as I bombarded you with manuscript drafts. Excited to share this research with the world soon! Stay posted, but for now, sleep.

Completed thesis coming soon. I've actually spent my PhD teaching the magpies to say "alreet me lover?" in the west country accent of my ancestors.

Insta Science@instascience.bsky.social · last yr.

A British crow is asking passersby if they're alright.

3. With a little help from my friends… Stephanie Mason discussed how sociability accelerates call combination learning in WA magpies and the importance of individual measurements to better understand their communicative complexity. 🐦💬