A recent study at Tufts University shows that the ability to recognize rhythm may be intrinsic to not only humans, but also other vocal learning species. The study suggests that songbirds such as male zebra finches could serve as an ideal animal model for understanding rhythm perception.

Imagine two metronomes: one ticking with each beat equally spaced apart and the other clicking with a messy, inconsistent rhythm. Most people would find that the second metronome sounds out of place. But would an animal be able to tell the same? A recent study shows that the ability to recognize rhy…