<< when songbirds sing during non-mating seasons, it's because singing releases an opioid naturally produced in their brain —that's right, a compound with the same biological makeup of the highly addictive painkillers. >>
<< Animals—including birds, including humans—we produce our own endogenous opioids, and they reward behaviors naturally, like sexual behavior or feeding behavior, (..) Studies show that endogenous opioids also make play rewarding. Songbirds learn their songs, and must practice. When we listened to birds practicing in flocks, it almost sounded as if they were playing around with the notes. Darwin even suggested that birds in flocks may be singing for 'their own amusement.' So, we thought if singing is a playful behavior, it should involve opioids. >> Lauren Riters.
<< in starlings, endogenous opioid-prompted song is evolutionarily advantageous, because singing in flocks allows them an opportunity to practice their song to prepare for the mating season. It might not be the most beautiful to listen to—Riters likened their chaotic song to freeform jazz—but that's okay. To them, it's just a warm-up for when they start looking for a mate. >>
Songbirds sing, like humans flock, for opioid reward. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Oct 02, 2020.
Stevenson, S.A., Piepenburg, A., et al. Endogenous opioids facilitate intrinsically-rewarded birdsong. Sci Rep 10, 11083. doi: 10.1038/ s41598-020-67684-1. Jul 6, 2020.
