The Rutgers University researchers said scientists know that in birds and mammals, individual brain cells respond preferentially to a particular range of frequencies. The range of frequencies to which a cell responds is called its "tuning width."

In the study, the scientists moved some adult zebra finches that normally live in a single-species colony into a canary colony and some adult canaries to a zebra finch colony. The birds experienced novel environments because canaries and zebra finches have a different range of hearing frequencies. Other birds of each species remained in their home colony, while yet others were placed in isolation.

After nine days, researchers found the tuning width of the brain cells of birds moved into novel environments was significantly narrower than that of birds remaining in their native environment. Isolation had the opposite effect, producing a wider tuning width.

The researchers said their results show that even in adult birds, brain cells change dynamically in response to novel experiences.

The study appears in the online, open-access journal, PLoS One.