Table 1.

Definitions of forms of vocal learning

Type of learning	Definition
Production learning	The ability to acquire signal variants through a process of social experience and auditory feedback either by modifying existing sounds for which individuals may have some innate template, or by copying of entirely novel sounds; often simplified to ‘vocal learning’
Contextual/usage learning	The ability to change a pattern of usage of an existing signal based on experience
Comprehension learning	The ability to learn to display appropriate behaviours in response to hearing specific signal variants