Exploring how social interactions affect brain function in songbirds
Official title: Development of a "smart aviary" to probe neural dynamics of complex social behaviors in a gregarious songbird
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11074544 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brown-headed cowbirds communicate and behave with each other during their breeding season by watching them in a special setup that records their interactions, helping us learn more about how their brains work in social situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $342,485 |
| NIH project number | 5R34DA059507-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074544 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals interested in animal behavior, neuroscience, or those studying social dynamics in species with complex social structures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not interested in animal behavior or do not have a background in neuroscience may not find direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brains of social songbirds, specifically the brown-headed cowbird, process social information and produce behaviors in a social context. Using a specially designed 'smart aviary' equipped with cameras and microphones, the study will monitor the interactions of a group of songbirds throughout their breeding season. The research team will employ advanced computer vision and machine learning techniques to analyze the birds' behaviors and understand the neural dynamics involved in their social interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behavior in animals, which may have implications for understanding similar processes in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has successfully utilized similar approaches in studying social behaviors in animals, indicating a promising avenue for understanding complex social dynamics.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Marc F — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Marc F
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.