Skip to main content

Anomalies in the Earth’s Magnetic Field Increase the Scatter of Pigeons’ Vanishing Bearings

  • Conference paper
Animal Migration, Navigation, and Homing

Part of the book series: Proceedings in Life Sciences ((LIFE SCIENCES))

Abstract

Homing pigeons were released under sunny conditions at places with large variations in the total intensity of the Earth’s magnetic field. At five out of six such places, pigeons were more scattered in their homeward orientation than at magnetically normal sites. This suggests that some aspect of the magnetic field affects either the pigeon’s sun compass or its navigational system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Batschelet, E.: Recent statistical methods for orientation data. In: Animal Orientation and Navigation (ed. Galler et al.) NASA SP-262, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 1972, pp. 61–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Batschelet, E.: Statistical methods for the analysis of problems in animal orientation and certain biological rhythms. Am. Inst. Biol. Sci., Wash., D.C. (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran, W.: 145-160 mHz beacon tag transmitter for small animals. BIAC Information Module M-15. Am. Inst. Biol. Sci., Washington, D.C. (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Emlen, J.T., Penney, R.L.: Distance navigation in the Adelie Penguin. Ibis 106, 417–431 (1964)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frei, U., Wagner, G.: Die Anfangsorientierung von Brieftauben im erdmagnetisch ge-störten Gebiet des Mont Jorat. Rev. Suisse Zool. 83, 891–897 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Graue, L.C.: Initial orientation in pigeon homing related to magnetic contours. Am. Zool. 5, 704 (abstract) (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeton, W.: Magnets interfere with pigeon homing. Proc. Nat. Acad. Aci. 68, 102–106 (1971)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keeton, W.: Effects of magnets on pigeon homing. In: Animal Orientation and Navigation (eds. Galler et al.) NASA SP-262, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, 1972, pp. 579–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeton, W. et al.: Normal fluctuations in the earth’s magnetic field influence pigeon orientation. J. Comp. Physiol. 95, 95–103 (1974)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michener, M., Walcott, C: Homing of single pigeons — an analysis of tracks. J. Exp. Biol. 47, 99–131 (1967)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talkington, L.: Bird Navigation and Geomagnetism. American Zoologist 7 199 (abstract; 1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, G.: Das Orientierungsverhalten von Brieftauben im erdmagnetisch gestörten Gebiete des Chasserai. Rev. Suisse Zool.,83, 883–890 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walcott, C, Green, R.: Orientation of homing pigeons altered by a change in the direction of an applied magnetic field. Science 184, 180–182 (1974)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walcott, C.: Magnetic fields and the orientation of homing pigeons under sun. J. Exp. Biol. 70, 105–124 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1978 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Walcott, C. (1978). Anomalies in the Earth’s Magnetic Field Increase the Scatter of Pigeons’ Vanishing Bearings. In: Schmidt-Koenig, K., Keeton, W.T. (eds) Animal Migration, Navigation, and Homing. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-11147-5_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-11147-5_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-11148-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-11147-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics