The incredible experience of birds in their dreams
A surprising study has revealed that birds have dreams in which they relive real experiences. During sleep, your brain recreates neural codes from experienced situations and reproduces them in an amazing way. Researchers at the University of Buenos Aires have managed to decipher and listen to these neural codes during birds’ sleep, offering a fascinating insight into their inner world.
The dream of birds and its connection with reality
For more than two decades, scientists have observed that certain areas of birds’ brains responsible for singing show similar neural patterns during sleep and when they are awake. However, until now the meaning of these patterns has not been fully understood. A recent study published in the journal Chaos has managed to decipher the hidden code behind the brain activity of birds during sleep, revealing the intriguing sounds that accompany their dreams.
The pioneering study and its astonishing results
The study, led by Gabriel Mindlin, a researcher specializing in the physical mechanisms of bird singing, focused on the activity of birds’ vocal muscles during sleep. Using recording electrodes known as electromyography (EMG), the team captured data on the birds’ muscle activity while they slept. Then, using a dynamical systems model, they translated this data into synthetic songs that recreated the sounds of the birds’ dreams.
The resulting synthetic songs offer a unique opportunity to listen to birds’ dreams and delve into their inner world. The researchers were able to identify sounds associated with situations such as territorial confrontations, where the birds showed a crest bristling with feathers and emitted characteristic trills. These findings not only highlight the complexity of bird dreams, but also the emotional experiences shared between birds and humans.
The importance of recognizing our similarities
Gabriel Mindlin, moved by the results of the study, highlighted the importance of recognizing the similarities between humans and other species. According to him, we have more in common than we normally recognize. This study not only reveals the intimate sounds of birds’ dreams, but also establishes biophysics as a new tool to explore avian consciousness and the shared experiences between birds and humans.
The inner world of a fascinating species
This pioneering study has revealed to us the beauty and complexity of the inner world of a species of bird known as Pitangus sulphuratus, also called common beetle, pitogüé ajisero and cristofué, among other local names. These birds measure between 21 and 26 cm in length, have a large head, long wings and short legs. Its beak is as long as the head and ends in a hook shape. Through this study, we have been able to delve into their world and better understand their dream experience.
The connection between all living things
As we continue to explore the dreams of birds, we discover not only the secrets of their consciousness, but also the common threads that connect us all. Previous studies have shown that other species, such as finches, also experience variations in their songs during sleep, suggesting that they collect sensory information while awake and use it to create adaptive changes in their dreams. These findings invite us to reflect on the importance of recognizing our connection with the rest of the living beings on the planet.
