MAGNETS AND PIGEON ORIENTATION

Abstract

SUMMARY Two experiments of KEETON (1971), which aimed at verifying the effect of magnetic stimuli perceived during flight on the orientation of homing pigeons, had left some open questions, in particular the very small effect on homing performance, even when there was a considerable disturbance of initial orientation. These experiments were repeated using more rigorous methods. Adult pigeons equipped with bar magnets showed a complete initial disorientation when released under overcast skies. However, contrary to the findings reported by KEETON, the same magnets had no effect when the releases were performed in sunny conditions, even when 3-month-old inexperienced pigeons were used. Homing performance was not influenced in an appreciable way, even though, in three out of four experiments carried out when the sun was not visible, the total cloud cover extended over a wide area and lasted for a long time so excluding the use of the sun compass for the greater part of the homing flights.