Orientation of homing pigeons: Direct sight of sun not necessary

Abstract

Homing pigeons do not need to see the sun directly in order to orient in a Kramer-type cage. Five homing pigeons were directionally trained in the traditional manner with a clear view of the sky and sun overhead. They were then tested while wearing a sun shade which prevented them from seeing any of the sky out of the top of the cage. All of the birds were able to maintain their Orientation. Shadows on the floor of the apparatus may have provided cues. These results suggest a mechanism pigeons may use to obtain information from the sun, that is, by looking at shadows on the ground. Experiments of a similar nature with freeflying birds are needed.