Abstract
The contrast between visual observations of diurnal topography-related migrants and radar screens showing nocturnal broad-front migration promoted the idea that birds flying at night might be independent of topography and rely exclusively on compass directions at fixed angles to celestial or magnetic cues.
The present paper shows: (1) topography-related changes in flight paths are more frequent at night than currently believed; (2) drift compensation is possible with reference to structures on the ground, but not to stars and hardly to the magnetic field: (3) in opposing side winds, flight paths coincide most obviously with linear structures below; (4) there are indications of the use of topographical elements ahead, suggesting that this might be the normal procedure to maintain a selected course in favourable winds and good visibility; (5) flights towards single beacons may result in a simple correction for drift, and may be the most efficient way for short sea crossings.
A comparison of directions along the northern border of the Alps shows a general occurrence of WSW directions, deviating from the expected SW/SSW direction. Towards the west this general effect of the Alps declines, while towards the east S-bound and SE-bound populations become more important.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Able KP (1980) Mechanisms of orientation, navigation, and homing. In: Animal migration, orientation, and navigation. Academic Press, London New York, pp 283–373
Bloch R, Bruderer B, Steiner P (1981) Flugverhalten nächtlich ziehender Vögel. Radardaten über den Zug verschiedener Vogeltypen auf einem Alpenpass. Vogelwarte 31: 119–149
Bruderer B (1971) Radarbeobachtungen über den Frühlingszug im Schweizerischen Mittelland. Ornithol Beob 68: 89–158
Bruderer B (1975) Zeitliche Unterschiede in der Richtung und Richtungsstreuung des Vogelzuges im Schweizerischen Mittelland. Ornithol Beob 72: 169–179
Bruderer B (1978) Effects of alpine topography and winds on migrating birds. In: Schmidt-Koenig K, Keeton WT (eds) Animal migration, navigation, and homing. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Bruderer B (198la) Radar data on the orientation of migratory birds in Europe. Proc Int Ornithol Congr, Berlin 1978, pp 547–552
Bruderer B (1981b) Stand und Ziele der Radar-Vogelzugforschung in der Schweiz. Rev Suisse Zool 88: 855–864
Eastwood E (1967) Radar ornithology. Methuen, London
Emlen ST (1975) Migration: orientation and navigation. In: Farner DS, King JR (eds) Avian biology, vol V. Academic Press, London New York, pp 129–219
Gehring W (1963) Radar-und Feldbeobachtungen über den Verlauf des Vogelzuges im Schweizerischen Mittelland: Der Tagzug im Herbst (1957–1961). Ornithol Beob 60: 35–68
Gwinner E, Wiltschko W (1978) Endogenously controlled changes in the migratory direction of the Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin. J Comp Physiol 125: 267–273
Keeton WT (1979) Avian orientation and navigation. Annu Rev Physiol 41:353–366
Mittelstaedt H, Mittelstaedt ML ( 1982 ) Homing by path integration. This vol., pp 290–297
Rabol J (1974) Correlation between coastal and Inland Migratory movements. Dan Ornithol Foren Tidsskr 68: 5–14
Rösch E, Bruderer B (1981) Einfluß der Topographie auf nächtlich ziehende Vögel. Rev Suisse Zool 88: 865–874
Steidinger P (1968) Radarbeobachtungen über die Richtung und deren Streuung beim nächtlichen Vogelzug im Schweizerischen Mittelland. Ornithol Beob 65: 197–226
Sutter E (1957a) Radar als Hilfsmittel der Vogelzugforschung. Ornithol Beob 54: 70–96
Sutter E (1957b) Radar-Beobachtungen über den Verlauf des nächtlichen Vogelzuges. Rev Suisse Zool 64: 294–303
Wallraff HG (1977) Selected aspects of migratory orientation in birds. Vogelwarte Sonderh 29: 64–76
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1982 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Bruderer, B. (1982). Do Migrating Birds Fly Along Straight Lines?. In: Papi, F., Wallraff, H.G. (eds) Avian Navigation. Proceedings in Life Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68616-0_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68616-0_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-68618-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-68616-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive