Theory 67/Timing & Gating/Birdsong
Song Needs a Window
The claim
A bird learns song only within a developmental window whose length is set by the ratio of sensitive period to auditory experience, so timing of exposure matters more than amount.
01Mechanism
The song template is acquired during a period when auditory feedback is coupled to motor learning; after the window closes, the circuitry no longer updates.
02Prediction
Exposure after the window should produce abnormal song despite more experience.
03Refutation
Equivalent learning with later exposure would remove the window.