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The effect of clock-shift on the initial orientation of wild rock doves (Columba l. livia)

Naturwissenschaften volume 90, pages 261–264 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Previous experiments on wild rock doves (Columba l. livia Gmelin) released within their familiar area revealed an evident effect of fast-shifting, although shifted doves, but not controls, tended to orient homeward. Such an outcome suggested a possible influence of the release time per se on the directional choices of the tested doves. In the present study, this hypothesis was investigated by comparing the orientation of slow-shifted birds to that of two control groups released at different times of the day. As would be expected if doves make use of a time-compensated sun compass, the bearings of shifted birds were deflected clockwise with respect to controls. The time of release itself seemed to influence only the scatter of the vanishing bearings of controls. These findings testify to the substantial similarity of clock-shift effects on the initial orientation of rock doves to those on homing pigeons released from familiar sites.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank C. Bresci, G. Delitala, L. Puglisi and the staff of the Foresta Demaniale "Porto Conte" (Sassari) for their help in the field. A. Gagliardo kindly revised an earlier draft of the paper. This study was supported by the Italian MURST, and complies with the current laws on animal welfare.

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  1. Dipartimento di Etologia Ecologia Evoluzione, Università degli Studi di Pisa, Via A. Volta 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    Dimitri Giunchi, Emanuele Mongini, Enrica Pollonara & N. Emilio Baldaccini

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  1. Dimitri Giunchi
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  2. Emanuele Mongini
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  3. Enrica Pollonara
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  4. N. Emilio Baldaccini
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Correspondence to N. Emilio Baldaccini.

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Giunchi, D., Mongini, E., Pollonara, E. et al. The effect of clock-shift on the initial orientation of wild rock doves (Columba l. livia). Naturwissenschaften 90, 261–264 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0422-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0422-7

Keywords

  • Homing Pigeon
  • Feral Pigeon
  • Home Direction
  • Directional Choice
  • Familiar Area