Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
We explore the origins of language and culture by conducting research on non-human primates’ communication and cognition
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
🐦 Exciting news! Our new paper is out in PLOS Biology:
“A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia.”
Led by the #ManyBirds Project - 129 researchers, 82 institutions, 24 countries 🌍
🔗 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@themanybirds.bsky.social
“A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia.”
Led by the #ManyBirds Project - 129 researchers, 82 institutions, 24 countries 🌍
🔗 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@themanybirds.bsky.social
A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia
Neophobia (the aversive response to novelty) varies considerably across species and individuals, and can impact adaptability and survival. This study assesses neophobia in 1400 subjects from 136 bird ...
journals.plos.org
October 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
🐦 Exciting news! Our new paper is out in PLOS Biology:
“A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia.”
Led by the #ManyBirds Project - 129 researchers, 82 institutions, 24 countries 🌍
🔗 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@themanybirds.bsky.social
“A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia.”
Led by the #ManyBirds Project - 129 researchers, 82 institutions, 24 countries 🌍
🔗 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@themanybirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
It's been great to be a part of such a large scale collaborative project. A big thanks to Basel Zoo for letting us work with their birds! @cogcompneuch.bsky.social
🐦 Exciting news! Our new paper is out in PLOS Biology:
“A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia.”
Led by the #ManyBirds Project - 129 researchers, 82 institutions, 24 countries 🌍
🔗 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@themanybirds.bsky.social
“A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia.”
Led by the #ManyBirds Project - 129 researchers, 82 institutions, 24 countries 🌍
🔗 journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
@themanybirds.bsky.social
A large-scale study across the avian clade identifies ecological drivers of neophobia
Neophobia (the aversive response to novelty) varies considerably across species and individuals, and can impact adaptability and survival. This study assesses neophobia in 1400 subjects from 136 bird ...
journals.plos.org
October 15, 2025 at 8:41 AM
It's been great to be a part of such a large scale collaborative project. A big thanks to Basel Zoo for letting us work with their birds! @cogcompneuch.bsky.social
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
Why do humans "baby talk"? A new study shows we're the only great ape that does so regularly—and it may have shaped the evolution of language. #PrimateCommunication #HumanEvolution #BabyTalk #Anthropology #Linguistics #CognitiveScience @carolinefryns.bsky.social @franziswegdell.bsky.social
Why Humans Talk to Babies: The Evolutionary Puzzle of Infant-Directed Speech
Among all great apes, only Homo sapiens showers its infants with babbling, cooing, and high-pitched “baby talk.” A new study shows just how rare—and recent—this trait may be.
www.primatology.net
June 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Why do humans "baby talk"? A new study shows we're the only great ape that does so regularly—and it may have shaped the evolution of language. #PrimateCommunication #HumanEvolution #BabyTalk #Anthropology #Linguistics #CognitiveScience @carolinefryns.bsky.social @franziswegdell.bsky.social
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
1/n Hot off the press!
The first empirical chapter of my PhD and the fruit of a hugely collaborative project led with Franziska Wegdell and Johanna Schick is out! We explore if immature-directed vocalisations are present and in what quantity in wild great apes.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The first empirical chapter of my PhD and the fruit of a hugely collaborative project led with Franziska Wegdell and Johanna Schick is out! We explore if immature-directed vocalisations are present and in what quantity in wild great apes.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The evolution of infant-directed communication: Comparing vocal input across all great apes
Human infants receive more directed communication than other great ape infants, indicating that it evolved alongside language.
www.science.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:49 PM
1/n Hot off the press!
The first empirical chapter of my PhD and the fruit of a hugely collaborative project led with Franziska Wegdell and Johanna Schick is out! We explore if immature-directed vocalisations are present and in what quantity in wild great apes.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The first empirical chapter of my PhD and the fruit of a hugely collaborative project led with Franziska Wegdell and Johanna Schick is out! We explore if immature-directed vocalisations are present and in what quantity in wild great apes.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
One thing that makes humans remarkable is baby talk. And that might be one reason why we have language. Here's my story [Gift link] nyti.ms/4k5duXd
Did Baby Talk Give Rise to Language?
The way that human adults talk to young children is unique among primates, a new study found. That might be one secret to our species’ grasp of language.
nyti.ms
June 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
One thing that makes humans remarkable is baby talk. And that might be one reason why we have language. Here's my story [Gift link] nyti.ms/4k5duXd
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
NCCR researchers Klaus Zuberbühler, Gwendolyn Wirobski, and researcher Friederike Range have received a 1.4 million CHF grant to study communication and cognition in wolves and dogs 🐺🐶. 👉 More in this new article!
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
evolvinglanguage.ch/1-4-million-...
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
evolvinglanguage.ch/1-4-million-...
1.4 million Swiss Francs to study wolves - NCCR Evolving Language
NCCR researchers Klaus Zuberbühler, Gwendolyn Wirobski (University of Neuchâtel), and Friederike Range (University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna) have received a 1.4 million CHF WEAVE grant from the A...
evolvinglanguage.ch
June 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM
NCCR researchers Klaus Zuberbühler, Gwendolyn Wirobski, and researcher Friederike Range have received a 1.4 million CHF grant to study communication and cognition in wolves and dogs 🐺🐶. 👉 More in this new article!
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
evolvinglanguage.ch/1-4-million-...
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
evolvinglanguage.ch/1-4-million-...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
🧠🦍 Did you know? Like humans, chimpanzees automatically process 'who did what to whom' – a potential precursor for language.
👇 Check what we found in our new paper published in @openmindjournal.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
👇 Check what we found in our new paper published in @openmindjournal.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
Spontaneous Encoding of Event Roles in Hominids
ABSTRACT. When observing social interactions, humans rapidly and spontaneously encode events in terms of agents, patients and causal relations. This propensity can be made visible empirically with the...
doi.org
May 8, 2025 at 8:19 AM
🧠🦍 Did you know? Like humans, chimpanzees automatically process 'who did what to whom' – a potential precursor for language.
👇 Check what we found in our new paper published in @openmindjournal.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
👇 Check what we found in our new paper published in @openmindjournal.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1162/opmi...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
🎙️Écoutez l'intervention de Quentin Gallot dans l'émission CQFD de la RTS, sur le système grammatical des colobes olive !
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
www.rts.ch/audio-podcas...
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
www.rts.ch/audio-podcas...
April 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
🎙️Écoutez l'intervention de Quentin Gallot dans l'émission CQFD de la RTS, sur le système grammatical des colobes olive !
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
www.rts.ch/audio-podcas...
@cogcompneuch.bsky.social
www.rts.ch/audio-podcas...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
Our new paper is out! 🐒🔊
We compared two wild chimpanzee populations and found that individuals adjust pant hoot acoustics based on context (feeding vs. travelling). Most patterns are shared, but subtle community differences may hint at a small role for vocal usage learning.
doi.org/10.1016/j.an...
We compared two wild chimpanzee populations and found that individuals adjust pant hoot acoustics based on context (feeding vs. travelling). Most patterns are shared, but subtle community differences may hint at a small role for vocal usage learning.
doi.org/10.1016/j.an...
April 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Our new paper is out! 🐒🔊
We compared two wild chimpanzee populations and found that individuals adjust pant hoot acoustics based on context (feeding vs. travelling). Most patterns are shared, but subtle community differences may hint at a small role for vocal usage learning.
doi.org/10.1016/j.an...
We compared two wild chimpanzee populations and found that individuals adjust pant hoot acoustics based on context (feeding vs. travelling). Most patterns are shared, but subtle community differences may hint at a small role for vocal usage learning.
doi.org/10.1016/j.an...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
1/2 Parlons Terrain (*Let's Talk Fieldwork) is expanding!
Our group started for French speakers, but now we are welcoming EVERYONE no matter the language you speak!
You have done or will do #fieldwork? You want to connect with others to talk about your experience? Join us!
Our group started for French speakers, but now we are welcoming EVERYONE no matter the language you speak!
You have done or will do #fieldwork? You want to connect with others to talk about your experience? Join us!
a bald man in a blue suit is pointing at the words come join us .
ALT: a bald man in a blue suit is pointing at the words come join us .
media.tenor.com
March 7, 2025 at 9:31 AM
1/2 Parlons Terrain (*Let's Talk Fieldwork) is expanding!
Our group started for French speakers, but now we are welcoming EVERYONE no matter the language you speak!
You have done or will do #fieldwork? You want to connect with others to talk about your experience? Join us!
Our group started for French speakers, but now we are welcoming EVERYONE no matter the language you speak!
You have done or will do #fieldwork? You want to connect with others to talk about your experience? Join us!
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
A French version is also available: forms.gle/REAPyosimSgn...
Enquête sur le Bien-être Équin pour les Acteurs du Secteur Équin
Merci de prendre le temps de répondre à cette enquête ! Votre participation nous aidera à mieux comprendre votre expérience avec les chevaux et votre point de vue sur un outil que nous souhaiterions d...
forms.gle
February 18, 2025 at 10:19 AM
A French version is also available: forms.gle/REAPyosimSgn...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
We're looking for equine stakeholders (horse owners, breeders, stable managers, vets etc) to fill in this short survey, to help us assess feasibility of a possible horse welfare tool. Please share! shorturl.at/PIG2s
Stakeholder Equine Choice Survey
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey! Your input will help us understand your experience with horses and your perspective on a proposed welfare tool that provides horses with social c...
shorturl.at
February 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
We're looking for equine stakeholders (horse owners, breeders, stable managers, vets etc) to fill in this short survey, to help us assess feasibility of a possible horse welfare tool. Please share! shorturl.at/PIG2s
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
So excited that this encyclopedia chapter on meaning, pragmatics and learning of alarm calls is out!
This is my first collaboration with my old friend Julián León, and a new one with Klaus Zuberbühler from @cogcompneuch.bsky.social !
DM me for full text
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
This is my first collaboration with my old friend Julián León, and a new one with Klaus Zuberbühler from @cogcompneuch.bsky.social !
DM me for full text
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Alarm Calls
Alarm calls, vocal signals given by animals in response to threats, have been studied for decades. For primates, results from alarm call studieshave p…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
So excited that this encyclopedia chapter on meaning, pragmatics and learning of alarm calls is out!
This is my first collaboration with my old friend Julián León, and a new one with Klaus Zuberbühler from @cogcompneuch.bsky.social !
DM me for full text
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
This is my first collaboration with my old friend Julián León, and a new one with Klaus Zuberbühler from @cogcompneuch.bsky.social !
DM me for full text
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@gwenwiro.bsky.social joined our lab as a researcher. She studies how group cohesion and cooperation promote communication in social carnivores (wolves 🐺 and dogs 🐕) to ultimately understand the origins of human language @nccrlanguage.bsky.social
Check out her latest work: doi.org/10.1016/j.ne...
Check out her latest work: doi.org/10.1016/j.ne...
January 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
@gwenwiro.bsky.social joined our lab as a researcher. She studies how group cohesion and cooperation promote communication in social carnivores (wolves 🐺 and dogs 🐕) to ultimately understand the origins of human language @nccrlanguage.bsky.social
Check out her latest work: doi.org/10.1016/j.ne...
Check out her latest work: doi.org/10.1016/j.ne...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
1/2 Notre workshop "Preparation au terrain" c'est ce jeudi a 18h CET.
Si vous partez bientot sur le terrain & avez des questions, c'est The place to be!
Decouvrez le panel des intervenant.e.s qu'on a reunit pour repondre a vos questions!
Lien du meeting: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/…
Si vous partez bientot sur le terrain & avez des questions, c'est The place to be!
Decouvrez le panel des intervenant.e.s qu'on a reunit pour repondre a vos questions!
Lien du meeting: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/…
December 16, 2024 at 4:34 PM
1/2 Notre workshop "Preparation au terrain" c'est ce jeudi a 18h CET.
Si vous partez bientot sur le terrain & avez des questions, c'est The place to be!
Decouvrez le panel des intervenant.e.s qu'on a reunit pour repondre a vos questions!
Lien du meeting: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/…
Si vous partez bientot sur le terrain & avez des questions, c'est The place to be!
Decouvrez le panel des intervenant.e.s qu'on a reunit pour repondre a vos questions!
Lien du meeting: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/…
Since we just arrived on this platform and quite a few members have joined our lab. We decided to present our team throughout the week!
December 9, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Since we just arrived on this platform and quite a few members have joined our lab. We decided to present our team throughout the week!
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
📰🐒According to a study by Vanessa Wilson @vd0ubleu.bsky.social and team, humans and apes alternate attention between the two subjects when observing someone interact with something. Learn more in the article from PLOS Biology, in DE, FR and EN on our website.
evolvinglanguage.ch/great-apes-t...
evolvinglanguage.ch/great-apes-t...
Great apes visually track subject-object relationships like humans do - NCCR Evolving Language
When observing someone interact with something, humans and apes alternate attention between the two subjects. Great apes track events with their eyes in the same way that humans do, according to a st...
evolvinglanguage.ch
November 27, 2024 at 9:02 AM
📰🐒According to a study by Vanessa Wilson @vd0ubleu.bsky.social and team, humans and apes alternate attention between the two subjects when observing someone interact with something. Learn more in the article from PLOS Biology, in DE, FR and EN on our website.
evolvinglanguage.ch/great-apes-t...
evolvinglanguage.ch/great-apes-t...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
Hot off the press! Is there a pre-linguistic basis for event role attribution? In our new paper out in PLoS Biology, we take a comparative eye tracking approach to explore temporal gaze distribution to agents and patients in dyadic interactions tinyurl.com/mryk7kmb
November 26, 2024 at 8:35 PM
Hot off the press! Is there a pre-linguistic basis for event role attribution? In our new paper out in PLoS Biology, we take a comparative eye tracking approach to explore temporal gaze distribution to agents and patients in dyadic interactions tinyurl.com/mryk7kmb
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
📰🐒Although Olive colobus monkeys have a limited vocal repertoire, researchers from the University of Neuchâtel showed they can share a wide variety of info by combining calls following grammar-like rules! More in the #article available on our website.
evolvinglanguage.ch/grammar-less...
evolvinglanguage.ch/grammar-less...
Grammar lessons with olive colobus monkeys - NCCR Evolving Language
The olive colobus, a discreet primate from the forests of the Ivory Coast, surprises by the richness of its vocal communication. According to a study by the University of Neuchâtel and the NCCR Evolvi...
evolvinglanguage.ch
November 7, 2024 at 9:53 AM
📰🐒Although Olive colobus monkeys have a limited vocal repertoire, researchers from the University of Neuchâtel showed they can share a wide variety of info by combining calls following grammar-like rules! More in the #article available on our website.
evolvinglanguage.ch/grammar-less...
evolvinglanguage.ch/grammar-less...
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
👥On Tuesday, the NCCR Evolving Language introduced its ambitions for the second phase of the consortium to the public. Many thanks to the host institutions, speakers and everyone who was present, both onsite and online!
November 14, 2024 at 10:43 AM
👥On Tuesday, the NCCR Evolving Language introduced its ambitions for the second phase of the consortium to the public. Many thanks to the host institutions, speakers and everyone who was present, both onsite and online!
Reposted by Comparative Cognition Neuchâtel
📽️Are other animals incapable of communicating about complex events, or are they simply unwilling? In this video, dive into the research of the WP Events with Klaus Zuberbühler, Sarah Brocard, and Carla Pascual Guàrdia!
youtu.be/j6vyVy1v20E?...
youtu.be/j6vyVy1v20E?...
Learning about cognition with the Work Package Events - NCCR Evolving Language
YouTube video by NCCR Evolving Language
youtu.be
November 14, 2024 at 3:03 PM
📽️Are other animals incapable of communicating about complex events, or are they simply unwilling? In this video, dive into the research of the WP Events with Klaus Zuberbühler, Sarah Brocard, and Carla Pascual Guàrdia!
youtu.be/j6vyVy1v20E?...
youtu.be/j6vyVy1v20E?...
We will slowly but surely be posting on this platform. Stay tuned !
November 18, 2024 at 4:37 PM
We will slowly but surely be posting on this platform. Stay tuned !