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Interaction of visual and non-visual cues during migratory orientation by the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)

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Summary

The Bobolink appears to use an integrated orientation system involving at least a star compass and a magnetic compass. The magnetic compass appears to provide the primary reference for the system and the star compass serves as a secondary compass. The star compass appears to be checked against the magnetic compass every 1 to 5 nights, and adjusted to compensate for changes in the relative locations of star patterns. These results are in agreement with those of other species where both the star compass and the magnetic compass have been investigated. Such an integrated orientation system is advantageous to a transequatorial migrant because the night sky changes greatly between the beginning of its journey and the end, even from night to night; and the horizontal magnetic field at the equator is unusable as a dip compass.

Zusammenfassung

Der Reisstärling scheint ein integratives Orientierungssystem zu benutzen, das einen Sternkompaß, einen Magnetkompaß und möglicherweise noch weiter Faktoren einschließt. Dabei stellt der Magnetkompaß wohl das primäre Referenzsystem dar, während der Sternkompaß als sekundärer Kompaß dient. Der Sternkompaß wird alle 1 bis 5 Nächte mit dem Magnetkompaß verglichen und nachgeeicht, um Veränderungen der Stellung der Sterne zu kompensieren. Die Befunde stimmen mit denen an anderen Arten überein, bei denen sowohl Sternkompaß als auch Magnetkompaß untersucht wurde. Für einenm Transäquatorialzieher ist solch ein integratives Orientierungssystem von Vorteil, da sich einerseits der Sternhimmel von Beginn bis Ende des Zuges, sogar von Nacht zu Nacht, verändert und das horizontale Magnetfeld am Äquator andererseits für einen Inklinationskompaß unbrauchbar ist.

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  1. Biology Department, State University of New York at Geneseo, 14454, Geneseo, NY, USA

    Robert C. Beason

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Beason, R.C. Interaction of visual and non-visual cues during migratory orientation by the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus). J Ornithol 128, 317–324 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01640301

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