Detection of gaps in noise by budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and zebra finches (Poephila guttata)

Abstract

Temporal gap detection thresholds were obtained for two species of birds, budgerigars and zebra finches, which are known to have different auditory filter bandwidths. Both species showed gap detection thresholds of about 2.5 msec for broadband noise stimuli. Comparing octave bands of noise centered at 1, 3, and 5 kHz, zebra finches showed the smallest gap thresholds for the noise band centered at 5 kHz whereas budgerigars showed the smallest gap detection thresholds for the noise band centered at 3 kHz. The results from zebra finches are generally consistent with filter theories of auditory spectro-temporal perception whereas the result from budgerigars are not. In aggregate, these comparative data suggest the relation between spectral and temporal resolving power in these two species may involve different mechanisms.