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Homing pigeons use olfactory cues for navigation in england
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|April 18, 1998
Summary
Homing pigeons in southern England can use olfactory navigation, but their olfactory map appears weaker than in other regions. Anosmic pigeons showed poorer homing success, especially at longer distances.
Area of Science:
- Ornithology
- Animal Navigation
- Sensory Ecology
Background:
- Olfactory navigation in homing pigeons is established but its regional generality is uncertain.
- Variability in results suggests regional differences in olfactory navigation effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the effect of anosmia on homing pigeons in southern England, a previously unstudied region.
- Determine if olfactory cues are utilized for navigation in this specific geographic area.
Main Methods:
- Inducing anosmia in homing pigeons using zinc sulphate.
- Conducting homing experiments with experienced and naive birds at various unfamiliar distances.
- Comparing homing success and orientation of anosmic birds versus control groups.
Main Results:
- Experienced anosmic pigeons showed little effect at shorter distances but poorer homing at 66 km.
- Naive anosmic pigeons exhibited significantly worse homeward orientation and daily homing success compared to controls.
- Pooled results indicate a significant impairment in navigation due to anosmia.
Conclusions:
- Pigeons can utilize olfactory navigation in southern England.
- The olfactory map in this region appears to be relatively weak compared to other areas.
- Olfactory cues play a role in pigeon homing, though their influence may vary geographically.
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