The Factor of Topographical Cues in Bird Homing Experiments

Arnould-Taylor, W. E.; Malewski, A. M.

doi:10.2307/1931302

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

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“…(e) Association of geomagnetic intensity with other potential cues The geomagnetic field at some locations on Earth is correlated with other potential navigational cues, such as gravity (Dornfeldt 1991), surface topography (Arnould-Taylor & Malewski 1955;Matthews 1963) or other landscape features (Braithwaite & Guilford 1991;Holland 2003;Biro et al 2004;Lipp et al 2004) known to influence the homing behaviour of pigeons. This being the case, we examined how the spatial distribution of intensity at our study site varied in relation to other environmental factors which might have affected the pigeons' flight trajectories.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence that pigeons orient to geomagnetic intensity during homing

2007

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The influence of the Earth's magnetic field on locomotory orientation has been studied in many taxa but is best understood for homing pigeons (Columba livia). Effects of experimentally induced and naturally occurring perturbations in the geomagnetic field suggest that pigeons are sensitive to changes in geomagnetic parameters. However, whether pigeons use the Earth's magnetic field for position determination remains unknown. Here we report an apparent orientation to the intensity gradient of the geomagnetic field observed in pigeons homing from sites in and around a magnetic anomaly. From flight trajectories recorded by GPS-based tracking devices, we noted that many pigeons released at unfamiliar sites initially flew, in some cases up to several kilometres, in directions parallel and/or perpendicular to the bearing of the local intensity field. This behaviour occurred irrespective of the homeward direction and significantly more often than what was expected by random chance. Our study describes a novel behaviour which provides strong evidence that pigeons when homing detect and respond to spatial variation in the Earth's magnetic field-information of potential use for navigation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence that pigeons orient to geomagnetic intensity during homing

2007

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Directional differences in pigeon homing in sacramento, California and Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Graue

Pratt

1959

Animal Behaviour

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Pigeon Homing along Highways and Exits

et al. 2004

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Our data demonstrate the existence of a learned road-following homing strategy of pigeons and the use of particular topographical points for final navigation to the loft. Apparently, the better-directed early stages of the flight compensated the added final detour. During early and middle stages of the flight, following large and distinct roads is likely to reflect stabilization of a compass course rather than the presence of a mental roadmap. A cognitive (roadmap) component manifested by repeated crossing of preferred topographical points, including highway exits, is more likely when pigeons approach the loft area. However, it might only be expected in pigeons raised in an area characterized by navigationally relevant highway systems.

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The Factor of Topographical Cues in Bird Homing Experiments

Cited by 8 publications

References 10 publications

Evidence that pigeons orient to geomagnetic intensity during homing

Evidence that pigeons orient to geomagnetic intensity during homing

Directional differences in pigeon homing in sacramento, California and Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Pigeon Homing along Highways and Exits

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