Conditioned place preferences induced by hearing song outside the breeding season relate to neural dopamine D 1 and cannabinoid CB 1 receptor gene expression in female European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

•Fall-condition female starlings developed an aversion for a place paired with male song.•Song-induced aversion was stronger in birds conditioned towards an initial preference.•D1 receptor mRNA in mPOA correlated negatively with fall song-induced affect.•CB1 mRNA in mPOA correlated positively with spring and fall song-induced affect.•D1 and CB1 receptors may adaptively modify affective responses to song.