Unsung Songbirds: Advances in the Study of Corvid Communication

Claudia Wascher , Vittorio Baglione, Thomas Bugnyar, Daniela Canestrari, Anne B. Clark, Maddie Cusimano, Julie E. Elie, Pawel Fedurek, Lena Gies, Cédric Girard-Buttoz, Michael Griesser, Luca G. Hahn, Friederike [freddy] Hillemann , Benjamin Hoffman, Barbara C. Klump, Ellis J.G. Langley, Diana A. Liao, Killian Martin, Anna N. Osiecka, Simone Pika, Samuel Richardson, Christian Rutz, Ambre Salis, Sabrina Schalz, Dan Stowell, Alex Thornton, Alizée Vernouillet, Miyako H. Warrington, Lutz Wehrland, Valerie Dufour 

Historically, much research in animal communication has focused on the information content and ultimate function of vocalisations. These include defending territories, sounding the alarm, attracting mates, and advertising identity. The proximate mechanisms that shape signal production and perception—including cognitive processes and cultural transmission—have only recently started attracting attention. Corvids are a well-established study system in comparative cognition and social evolution research, yet their vocal communication remains surprisingly understudied compared to other songbirds, which have been central to advancing our understanding of how natural selection shapes communication. With their flexible, context-dependent communication and capacity for vocal learning, corvids represent a particularly promising system for addressing open questions relating to vocal communication. Their diverse ecological and social environments, combined with extensively studied cognitive abilities, make them well-suited for investigating the co-evolution of communication, sociality, and cognition. To unlock the potential of corvids as a system for studying vocal communication, several methodological opportunities and challenges must be addressed. These include the development of experimental designs suited to both wild and captive settings, and the adoption of advanced technologies for data collection in naturalistic environments. Recent advances in data processing—such as machine learning, acoustic classification, and automated tracking—open up promising new avenues for decoding corvid communication. These tools are promising to reshape the field by enabling more fine-grained, large-scale analyses of vocal behaviour. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of corvid vocal communication can significantly enhance our broader insights into the evolution of animal communication and the origins of human language. Furthermore, it holds applied value for improving animal welfare and conservation, including innovations in welfare monitoring and strategies for addressing human-wildlife conflict.