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1 Istituto di Biologia generale dell'Universitá di Pisa
The influence of artificial magnetic fields on the homing behavior of pigeons released from unfamiliar sites was tested. The tests were performed by securing cylindrical magnets (in sunny conditions) and Helmholtz coils (under both sunny and overcast conditions) to the pigeons' heads. The apparatus had either north (Nup) or south (Sup) poles up. A distinct disorientation of Nups was observed under overcast conditions. In sunny conditions, Nup and Sup birds showed, compared with control birds, a greater scattering of vanishing bearings and some delays in homing. The disturbances produced by an artificial magnetic field in sunny conditions demonstrate that pigeons do not simply switch between magnetic and sun compasses, but that in some way the two mechanisms interfere with each other.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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  C. Walcott Multi-modal Orientation Cues in Homing Pigeons Integr. Comp. Biol., June 1, 2005; 45(3): 574 - 581. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 R Wiltschko, D Nohr, and W Wiltschko Pigeons with a deficient sun compass use the magnetic compass Science, October 16, 1981; 214(4518): 343 - 345. [Abstract] [PDF]
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