Neuroendocrine regulation of vocalizations and other sounds in nonsongbirds

Abstract In birds, our understanding of the neuroendocrine mechanisms that mediate acoustic communication and advertisement largely focuses on learned song. This means that the majority of research in this area centers around oscine passerines that are the predominant vocal learners of the avian world. However, several other bird species generate complex acoustic signals through phonation or body movements. The neural and hormonal basis of these displays is less clear; thus, we have reviewed work, herein, that explores the mechanisms. We have focused on land fowl, doves, and other Neoaves (modern birds) that generate an array of sounds using either their vocal organ (syrinx) or their body. We have described our current knowledge of the brain areas that underlie such behavior and the hormones that act on these areas to mediate communication.