A Berkeley scientist spent more than a decade listening to zebra finches

What if the birds chirping outside your window were actually having a conversation, and you were simply missing out on all the gossip? We have often wondered what animals might be trying to tell us, whether it is a dog barking at the postman or birds calling out to one another from the trees. While humans have long been fascinated by birdsong, figuring out what these sounds actually mean has been quite a task. Now, a scientist's work at the University of California, Berkeley, could be bringing us closer to understanding what birds are actually trying to tell us.Dr Julie Elie, an animal behaviour researcher and associate project scientist at Berkeley, has spent more than a decade studying zebra finches, observing their behaviour and keeping meticulous records of their vocalisations. Today, this work has led to the development of an acoustic catalogue of their calls, identifying 11 distinct types of vocalisations that the birds use in different social situations. Her findings suggest that zebra finches may actually recognise the meanings associated with these calls, something that could transform how researchers have approached the subject of communication between humans and other species.Listening to what the birds have to sayZebra finches are small, sociable songbirds native to Australia, recognised by their distinctive markings and their rather vocal nature.