Alla Katsnelson | Mar 30, 2010 | 3 min read
The first genome sequence of a songbird, published in Nature this week, has provided scientists with the tools to begin studying the molecular underpinnings of vocal learning -- an ability present in just a few other animals, including whales, bats and humans. The zebra finch gets its name from the black-and-white stripes on the male finch's throatImage: L. Brian Stauffer, U. of Illinois News Bureau"This is a really important step forward for our field," said linkurl:Allison Doupe,;http://kec