How do birds learn to sing?

Researchers have discovered that baby birds gabble in the same way that human babies do, and they have special brain circuits to do this.

It is now thought that learning to sing (and speak) is an independent process from adult singing and speach. It is also thought that there are more aspects of childhood learning equally independent in the brain.

No more pigeons !

Beginning next Wednesday 7 May, you will be fined for feeding pigeons in St. Mark’s Square, Venice.

picture courtesy of free graphics centre

A spokesperson for the Mayor’s office said that fines will begin at 50 Euros. People who sell grain or similar to feed the birds are now out of work. The vendors held a protest but the Mayor has still gone ahead with the ban.

The reason for the ban is due to the erosion of the statues caused by bird droppings. The annual clean up bill is over 250 Euros for each Venetian.

One disgruntled seller said “it won’t be long until they take away the gondoliers”