Calibration of the magnetic compass of a migratory bird by celestial rotation (original) (raw)

Nature volume 347, pages 378–380 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

MIGRATORY birds use a variety of environmental stimuli in orientation. Species that migrate primarily at night can use compasses based on the geomagnetic field, stars, the Sun and patterns of skylight polarization1–4. These compass mechanisms can interact both when migratory birds make day-to-day orientation decisions5 and during their ontogeny in young birds6,7. All of the known compasses used by migratory birds seem to be modifiable by experience during early development. For example, a functional magnetic compass develops in birds that have never seen the sky8–11. But the preferred direction of orientation by the magnetic compass may be modified during the first three months of life by exposing naive birds to the sky under conditions in which magnetic directions differ substantially from compass directions indicated by the Sun and stars (true or geographic directions)6,9,10. For hand-raised Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), experience with either the clear daytime or night sky is sufficient to effect this calibration of the magnetic compass11. We therefore proposed that celestial rotation, which provides a source of geographic directions both day and night, is the calibrating reference. Here we report that the rotation of an artificial pattern of 'stars' calibrates the preferred direction of magnetic orientation of young Savannah sparrows.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wiltschko, W. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 76A 709–717 (1983).
    Article Google Scholar
  2. Baker, R. R. Bird Navigation: The Solution of a Mystery? (Holmes & Meier, London, 1984).
    Google Scholar
  3. Able, K. P. & Cherry, J. D. in Migration: Mechanisms and Adaptive Significance (ed. Rankin, M. A.) 516–525 (Marine Sci. Inst. Univ. Texas, Port Aransas, 1985).
    Google Scholar
  4. Moore, F. R. Biol. Rev. 62, 65–86 (1987).
    Article Google Scholar
  5. Wiltschko, W. & Wiltschko, R. Trends Ecol. Evol. 3, 13–15 (1988).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  6. Able, K. P. & Bingman, V. P. Q. Rev. Biol. 62, 1–29 (1987).
    Article Google Scholar
  7. Able, K. P. Experientia 46, 388–394 (1990).
    Article Google Scholar
  8. Wiltschko, W. & Gwinner, E. Naturwissenschaften 61, 406 (1974).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  9. Bingman, V. P. Behaviour 87, 43–53 (1983).
    Article Google Scholar
  10. Bingman, V. P., Beck, W. & Wiltschko, W. in Migration: Mechanisms and Adaptive Significance (ed. Rankin, M. A.) 544–552 (Marine Sci. Inst., Univ. Texas, Port Aransas, 1985).
    Google Scholar
  11. Able, K. P. & Able, M. A. Anim. Behav. 39, 905 (1990).
    Article Google Scholar
  12. Bingman, V. P. Anim. Behav. 29, 962–963 (1981).
    Article Google Scholar
  13. Moore, F. R. Anim. Behav. 28, 684–704 (1980).
    Article Google Scholar
  14. Moore, F. R. Anim. Behav. 33, 657–663 (1985).
    Article Google Scholar
  15. Able, K. P. & Able, M. A. Anim. Behav. 39, 1189 (1990).
    Article Google Scholar
  16. Wiltschko, W. & Wiltschko, R. J. comp. Physiol. A109, 91–99 (1976).
    Article Google Scholar
  17. Emlen, S. T. & Emlen, J. T. Auk 83, 361–367 (1966).
    Article Google Scholar
  18. Emlen, S. T. Science 170, 1198–1201 (1970).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  19. Wiltschko, W., Daum, P., Fergenbauer-Kimmel, A. & Wiltschko, R. Ethology 74, 285–292 (1987).
    Article Google Scholar
  20. Batschelet, E. Circular Statistics in Biology (Academic, New York, 1981).
    MATH Google Scholar
  21. Cherry, J. D. & Able, K. P. Auk 103, 225–227 (1986).
    Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, New York, 12222, USA
    Kenneth P. Able & Mary A. Able

Authors

  1. Kenneth P. Able
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Mary A. Able
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Able, K., Able, M. Calibration of the magnetic compass of a migratory bird by celestial rotation.Nature 347, 378–380 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/347378a0

Download citation