Birdsong is considered to be a combination of which two types of learning?

Birdsong is an excellent example of a complex behavior that arises from both learned and instinctual mechanisms. Many bird species are born with a genetic predisposition to produce certain sounds, which represents the instinctual aspect of their singing behavior. This innate ability establishes a foundation for the specific types of calls or songs the species is capable of producing.

However, the nuances of birdsong—such as individual variations, dialects, and even song complexity—are largely acquired through social learning. Young birds, especially songbirds, learn their unique songs by listening to adult birds in their environment, often their parents or neighboring birds. This process of mimicking and practicing leads to the refinement and personalization of their songs.

The interplay of these instinctual tendencies and learned experiences creates a full picture of how birds develop their vocalizations, making the combination of learned and instinctual behavior the most accurate characterization of birdsong development.