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Magnetic Direction Finding: Evidence for Its Use in Migratory Indigo Buntings

1976; American Association for the Advancement of Science; Volume: 193; Issue: 4252 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1126/science.193.4252.505

1095-9203

Stephen T. Emlen, Wolfgang Wiltschko, Natalie J. Demong, Roswitha Wiltschko, Simon Bergman,

Marine animal studies overview

The orientational capabilities of caged migratory indigo buntings were studied under differing magnetic field conditions. When tested in a situation allowing minimal exposure to visual cues but in the presence of the normal geomagnetic field, the birds demonstrated a significant orientation in the appropriate migratory direction (to the north). When the horizontal component of the magnetic field was deflected clockwise 120° by activation of Helmholtz coils surrounding the cage, the orientation of the buntings shifted accordingly (clockwise to geographic east-southeast). These results suggest that indigo buntings are not only able to detect the geomagnetic field, but also can use this information in the finalization of their migratory direction.