Vocal mimicry in Corvids

TL;DR

This study reviews vocal mimicry in corvid birds, finding it in 30% of species and suggesting it may be more common than previously known.

Contribution

The first systematic review of vocal mimicry in corvids, using Bayesian modeling to suggest hidden mimics.

Findings

Vocal mimicry was found in 39 out of 128 corvid species (30%).

Socio-ecological factors like breeding system and habitat had no significant effect on mimicry occurrence.

Bayesian modeling suggests vocal mimicry may be more widespread than currently documented.

Abstract

Vocal mimicry, the copying of sounds produced by another species or the environment, is commonly described in vocal learners, such as songbirds. Understanding the functions of vocal mimicry can help to uncover the evolutionary drivers of vocal learning. Different adaptive functions like interspecific and intraspecific communication have been suggested, as well as the possibility of vocal mimicry to be a mistake during vocal learning. In the present study, we review the occurrence of mimicry in the family of corvids and investigate the socio-ecological factors driving the evolution of vocal mimicry in this group of birds. We recorded evidence of vocal mimicry from primary (xeno-canto recordings) as well as secondary sources (published literature) and found evidence for vocal mimicry in 39 out of 128 corvid species (30%). Socio-ecological factors like breeding system, habitat and trophic niche did not have a significant effect. We used Bayesian modelling based on existing data from primary and secondary sources to estimate the occurrence of mimicry, suggesting that vocal mimicry may be more widespread among corvids than currently documented, with many species potentially being ‘hidden mimics’. Our study for the first time systematically reviews the occurrence of vocal mimicry across the family of corvids and investigates a range of socio-ecological factors driving the behaviour, hopefully inspiring future field work on those species.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10071-025-02006-4.

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