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Patterns in air pollution as model for the physical basis for olfactory navigation in pigeon homing

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Abstract

Spatial distribution and temporal variability of air pollution were used as a model to describe the stability and predictability of the distribution of airborne substances, postulated by some to be used by homing pigeons to navigate. If the man-made substances reflect the distributional characteristics of natural airborne substances, navigation based on airborne substances is unlikely to be possible.

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Author notes

  1. Jörg U. Ganzhorn

    Present address: Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Kellnerweg 4, D-37077, Göttingen

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abt. Verhaltensphysiologie der Universität, Beim Kupferhammer 8, D-72070, Tübingen

    Jörg U. Ganzhorn

  2. Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt, D-82234, Weßling/Oberpfaffenhofen

    Dieter Paffrath

Authors
  1. Jörg U. Ganzhorn
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  2. Dieter Paffrath
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Ganzhorn, J.U., Paffrath, D. Patterns in air pollution as model for the physical basis for olfactory navigation in pigeon homing. J Ornithol 136, 159–165 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651237

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651237

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