Why has the Australian zebra finch become a model organism for scientific research fields like neurobiology?
Because they breed so readily in controlled environments
The Australian zebra finch, *T. castanotis*, holds a significant position within the scientific community, having been utilized extensively as a model organism across multiple research disciplines. This status is not due to any single trait, but a combination of factors that allow for easy experimental manipulation and observation. The most cited reason for its utility in studying fields such as neurobiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution is precisely their ability to breed reliably and easily within controlled laboratory or captive settings. This reproductive reliability ensures a steady supply of subjects for longitudinal studies and experimental trials, which is a key requirement for rigorous scientific investigation.
