Understanding avian intelligence: Electrophysiology of behavior and cognition

Avian species exhibit outstanding cognitive capacities, including intricate problem-solving, dynamic social behaviors, and advanced communication skills. The neural substrates underpinning these abilities offer a fascinating vista into the mechanics of cognition and the broader evolutionary trajectories of intelligence. Electrophysiological techniques, by capturing the electrical activities within the bird brain, furnish real-time visibility into neuronal functioning and interconnectivity. Despite substantial progress, gaps remain in understanding the full spectrum of brain activities and their implications on avian behavior through electrophysiological lenses.

This Research Topic aims to decode the complex interplay between avian neural mechanisms and manifest behaviors through state-of-the-art electrophysiological exploration. It seeks to further delineate the synaptic interactions and neural circuits that drive cognitive processes in birds, thus propelling forward our comprehension of animal intelligence and refining experimental and analytical methods in neuroscience.

Our focus encompasses a wide array of cognitive functions and the state-of-the-art methodologies to investigate them. We seek submissions that address, but are not limited to:
• Neural mechanisms of learning and decision-making in avians
• Electrophysiological bases of avian working memory and spatial navigation
• Studies on social cognition and emotion regulation in birds
• Advances in sensory processing and comparative neurobiology through the lens of electrophysiology
• Technological innovations in recording and analyzing neuronal activity.
Through this comprehensive exploration, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of avian cognitive neuroscience, offering insights that could influence the wider field of neurobiological research.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Avian Intelligence, Electrophysiology, Neural Mechanisms, Cognitive Processes, Synaptic Interactions

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.