Behavioural Sciences

Scientists thought only male birds sang - until women joined the research

- PHOTO TAKEN 12JAN06 - A Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) rests on a perch at La Selva biological station in Sarapiqui, 80 miles (129 km) north of San Jose, Costa Rica January 12, 2006. The Selva is one of the world's most important sites for tropical ecosystem research. [La Selva has about 73% of its area under primary tropical rain forest. Each year, more than 250 scientists from some 25 countries and international students come to La Selva to study tropical ecology. Species diversity include more than, 330 species of trees, and 43 species of birds. Picture taken January 12.] - PBEAHUNSZBU

For more than 150 years, scientists have considered bird song to be a male trait. Image: REUTERS

Kevin Omland
Professor of Biological Sciences, , University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Evangeline Rose
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Maryland
Karan Odom
Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University
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Recent findings have shown that female song is widespread. Image: Nature
Behavioural Sciences Education, Gender and Work Gender Parity
Male and female troupials. Both sexes are elaborately colored, and both sexes sing. Image: Karan Odom, CC BY-ND
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