Early auditory and adult mating experiences interact with singer identity to shape neural responses to song in female zebra finches

Social and sensory experiences across the lifespan can shape social interactions. Female zebra finches form long-lasting social bonds with a male mate and preferences for his song; however, few studies have investigated how neural responses to the mate’s song compare to responses to familiar or unfamiliar songs. We found multiple regions that differentially respond to the song of the mate, and, in some of these regions, responses were modulated by the female’s previous auditory experience.