The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the genome of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a songbird species, which is significant for understanding human neuroscience. The study compares the zebra finch genome with that of the chicken, identifying both shared and unique features. Key findings include: 1. **Genome Structure and Evolution**: The zebra finch and chicken genomes share similar overall structures but differ in intrachromosomal rearrangements, lineage-specific gene family expansions, and the number of long-terminal-repeat-based retrotransposons. The zebra finch lacks a dosage compensation mechanism for the Z sex chromosome, unlike the chicken. 2. **Gene Regulation and Song Behavior**: Song behavior in zebra finches engages complex gene regulatory networks in the brain, altering the expression of long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, transcription factors, and their targets. These changes are associated with learning and integrating information over time. 3. **Gene Families and Evolution**: The zebra finch lineage has duplications of genes involved in neural functions, such as growth hormone and caspase-3. Two large expansions of gene families expressed in the brain have occurred, particularly in the PAK3 and PHF7 families, which have been independently duplicated multiple times. 4. **Mobile Elements and Mobile-Element-Derived Sequences**: The zebra finch genome has a low overall interspersed repeat content but contains a high number of retrovirus-derived long terminal repeat (LTR) elements. Mobile elements are present in about 4% of transcripts expressed in the brain, and some are regulated by song exposure. 5. **Transcriptional Control and Gene Expression**: The experience of singing and hearing song alters gene expression in the auditory forebrain, with a significant involvement of non-coding RNAs. MicroRNAs, such as miR-124, are rapidly suppressed in response to new song playbacks, and their binding sites are conserved in both zebra finches and humans. 6. **Positive Selection and Ion Channel Genes**: Genes involved in song exposure and those positively selected in the zebra finch lineage show enrichment for ion channel activity, suggesting a role in vocal communication and neurological function. The study highlights the dynamic and serendipitous aspects of the zebra finch genome that contribute to its unique neurobiological properties, particularly in learned vocal communication.The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the genome of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a songbird species, which is significant for understanding human neuroscience. The study compares the zebra finch genome with that of the chicken, identifying both shared and unique features. Key findings include: 1. **Genome Structure and Evolution**: The zebra finch and chicken genomes share similar overall structures but differ in intrachromosomal rearrangements, lineage-specific gene family expansions, and the number of long-terminal-repeat-based retrotransposons. The zebra finch lacks a dosage compensation mechanism for the Z sex chromosome, unlike the chicken. 2. **Gene Regulation and Song Behavior**: Song behavior in zebra finches engages complex gene regulatory networks in the brain, altering the expression of long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, transcription factors, and their targets. These changes are associated with learning and integrating information over time. 3. **Gene Families and Evolution**: The zebra finch lineage has duplications of genes involved in neural functions, such as growth hormone and caspase-3. Two large expansions of gene families expressed in the brain have occurred, particularly in the PAK3 and PHF7 families, which have been independently duplicated multiple times. 4. **Mobile Elements and Mobile-Element-Derived Sequences**: The zebra finch genome has a low overall interspersed repeat content but contains a high number of retrovirus-derived long terminal repeat (LTR) elements. Mobile elements are present in about 4% of transcripts expressed in the brain, and some are regulated by song exposure. 5. **Transcriptional Control and Gene Expression**: The experience of singing and hearing song alters gene expression in the auditory forebrain, with a significant involvement of non-coding RNAs. MicroRNAs, such as miR-124, are rapidly suppressed in response to new song playbacks, and their binding sites are conserved in both zebra finches and humans. 6. **Positive Selection and Ion Channel Genes**: Genes involved in song exposure and those positively selected in the zebra finch lineage show enrichment for ion channel activity, suggesting a role in vocal communication and neurological function. The study highlights the dynamic and serendipitous aspects of the zebra finch genome that contribute to its unique neurobiological properties, particularly in learned vocal communication.