Summary
Similar experiments as described in part I (Wallraff, 1980b) were conducted in Italy. 12 releases at distances of 80–180 km showed, in most cases, similar behaviour of “cueless” transported pigeons and control pigeons, but some gradual difference in the degree of homeward directedness and, at least sometimes, in homing speed. This suggests that, in the area investigated, stimuli perceived during displacement contribute to the orientation behaviour of the birds after release. Usually, however, successful homing does not depend on these stimuli. The experiments suggest the conclusion that there is some (minor) difference in the mode of pigeon navigation in different geographic areas, probably depending on varying environmental conditions.
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Abbreviations
- EP :
-
experimental pigeon(s)
- CP :
-
control pigeon(s)
- CCP :
-
“control-control” pigeon(s) (see Methods, Release 4)
References
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Wallraff, H.G., Foà, A. & Ioalé, P. Does pigeon homing depend on stimuli perceived during displacement?. J. Comp. Physiol. 139, 203–208 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00657082
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00657082