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Orientation in birds. The sun compass.

K Schmidt-Koenig1, J U Ganzhorn, R Ranvaud

  • 1Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

EXS
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Birds use a sun compass for navigation, primarily relying on the sun

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Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Navigation
  • Ornithology

Background:

  • The sun compass, a navigational tool used by birds, was first observed in caged birds exhibiting migratory restlessness.
  • Early research indicated that birds utilize the sun's azimuth (horizontal position) but not its altitude (vertical position) for orientation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the sun compass in bird navigation, particularly in homing pigeons.
  • To provide evidence for a map-and-compass navigational system in birds.

Main Methods:

  • Directional training and clock-shift experiments with caged birds.
  • Homing experiments with pigeons, including clock-shift manipulations.
  • Analysis of navigational accuracy under various latitudes and solar conditions.

Main Results:

  • Birds accurately use the sun's azimuth, with laboratory accuracy around +/- 3 to +/- 5 degrees.
  • Caged birds at mid-northern latitudes could compensate for the sun's movement, but not near the equator.
  • Homing pigeons demonstrably use the sun compass for initial orientation, achieving ~3-degree accuracy even at the equator during equinox.

Conclusions:

  • The sun compass is a crucial component of avian navigation, supporting the map-and-compass theory.
  • Pigeons exhibit remarkable navigational abilities, utilizing the sun compass effectively across diverse latitudes and solar conditions.
  • Preliminary findings suggest potential delays in homing pigeons' internal timekeeping (ephemerides).

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