Talking with animals

From ancient herders calling their fl ocks to today’s pet owners conversing with their cats or dogs, humans have always tried to extend their communication to other species. Francis of Assisi famously held a sermon to birds, whom he called his brothers and sisters. Stories, real, enhanced or imagined, abound through the ages, from deities taking animal shapes to modern horse whisperers. In many cases, this may just be a case of anthropomorphising animals — like children talking with their dolls. Alternatively, as we are beginning to get a clearer view of how animals such as dogs co-evolved with our species (Curr. Biol. (2015) 25, R733–R736) and learning how to defi ne consciousness in animals (Curr. Biol. (2013) 23, R981– R983), it is becoming conceivable that the ability to communicate has not only shaped our own evolution but also that of our domesticated animals and of their relationship to us. While a systematic understanding of the dialogue between pets and people is probably hindered rather than helped by the widespread affection for four-legged companions, a very simple model of how a mutually benefi cial human–animal communication can arise has been found among African birds and people.