Pigeons with a deficient sun compass use the magnetic compass

Area of Science:

• Animal behavior
• Navigation and orientation

Background:

• Homing pigeons exhibit remarkable navigational abilities.
• The role of celestial cues versus magnetic cues in pigeon navigation is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the primary compass sense used by young homing pigeons for initial orientation.
• To determine if magnetic sense is available independently of sun compass experience.

Main Methods:

• Homing pigeons with no prior sun exposure were tested for morning homeward orientation.
• The effect of carrying magnets on their orientation was assessed.

Main Results:

• Pigeons were homeward oriented in the morning without sun compass experience.
• Carrying magnets caused disorientation, indicating reliance on magnetic cues.
• Magnetic compass use was evident even without established sun compass calibration.

Conclusions:

• The magnetic compass is the initial and primary source of directional information for homing pigeons.
• Pigeon navigation relies on magnetic sense from the outset, independent of celestial cues.