FEATURE ARTICLE
Vocal Matching in Animals
Imitating the calls of group members and mates is a reliable signal of social bonds in some animal species
Kendra Sewall
From birds to whales, animals that match companions’ vocalizations reap social benefits that ultimately increase their survival and reproduction. But why is vocal matching a reliable signal of social affiliation? The process of learning to imitate companions ensures that matched vocalizations are honest signals of affiliation in species ranging from birds and bats to dolphins and whales.
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