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Are animals musical?

November 8, 2026 · 26 min

Show notes

Can animals create, or even enjoy music?

Ann rips through the animal kingdom to check out the musical talent of some likely and unlikely performers.

Featuring:

  • Dr. Stuart Watson, University of Zurich.
  • Dr. Chiara De Gregorio, University of Torino.
  • Assistant Professor Adena Schachner, University of California.
  • David Teie, Musician and composer, Music for Cats.
  • Associate Professor Cameron Webb, University of Sydney and NSW Health Pathology.

Featured sounds:

Musical Stimuli for Parrots by Adena Schachner, Fostog's Touch by David Teie (music for cats) and Marlene McCohen (YouTube) and her Amazon parrot Lucy.

Production:

  • Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.
  • Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
  • Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.

For more about bird song and music click here.

This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2023 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

All episodes of What The Duck?!

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