31.03.2026 Valérie Dufour

Despite over 40 years of research on the behaviour and cognition of corvids, our understanding of their communicative skills remains limited. In a recent research programme, we investigated vocal complexity in one of Europe's most social species of corvid, the rook. Here, I will present briefly the IA tool we developed to undertake this goal. In addition, I will be presenting the primary findings of a four-year research study on the vocal complexity of rooks, encompassing aspects such as their repertoire, the significance of their vocalisations, and their individual vocal flexibility. Finally, I will present our vision to increase data sharing and further collaborations on the evolutionary drivers of vocal complexity in animals.