Magnetic information affects the stellar orientation of young bird migrants (original) (raw)

Nature volume 383, pages 158–160 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

WHEN young birds leave on their first migration, they are guided by innate information about their direction of migration. It is generally assumed that this direction is represented twice, namely with respect to celestial rotation and with respect to the Earth's magnetic field1,2. The interactions between the two cue systems have been analysed by exposing hand-raised young birds during the premigratory period to cue-conflict situations, in which celestial rotation and the magnetic field provided different information. Celestial rotation altered the course with respect to the magnetic field3–7, whereas conflicting magnetic information did not seem to affect the course with respect to the stars8,9. Celestial information thus seemed to dominate over magnetic information. Here we report that the interaction between the two cue systems is far more complex than this. Celestial rotation alone seems to provide only a tendency to move away from its centre (towards geographical south), which is then modified by information from the magnetic field to establish the distinctive, population-specific migratory direction.

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, R. & Wiltschko, W. Magnetic Orientation in Animals (Springer, Berlin, 1995).
    Book Google Scholar
  2. Able, K. P. & Able, M. A. J. Exp. Biol. 199, 3–8 (1996).
    CAS PubMed Google Scholar
  3. Bingman, V. P. Behaviour 87, 43–53 (1983).
    Article Google Scholar
  4. Able, K. P. & Able, M. A. Anim. Behav. 39, 905–913 (1990).
    Article Google Scholar
  5. Able, K. P. & Able, M. A. Nature 347, 378–379 (1990).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  6. Able, K. P. & Able, M. A. Nature 364, 523–525 (1993).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  7. Prinz, K. & Wiltschko, W. Anim. Behav. 44, 539–545 (1992).
    Article Google Scholar
  8. Bingman, V. P. Behaviour 87, 43–53 (1984).
    Article Google Scholar
  9. Wiltschko, W., Daum, P., Fergenbauer-Kimmel, A. & Wiltschko, R. Ethology 74, 285–292 (1987).
    Article Google Scholar
  10. Zink, G. Der Zug Europäischer Singvögel Vol. 1 (Vogelzug, Möggingen, 1973).
    Google Scholar
  11. Wiltschko, W. & Gwinner, E. Naturwissenschaften 61, 406 (1974).
    Article ADS CAS Google Scholar
  12. Gwinner, E. & Wiltschko, W. J. Comp. Physiol. 125, 267–273 (1978).
    Article Google Scholar
  13. Wiltschko, W. & Wiltschko, R. J. Comp. Physiol. 109, 91–99 (1976).
    Article Google Scholar
  14. Batschelet, E. Circular Statistics in Biology (Academic, New York, 1981).
    MATH Google Scholar
  15. Wiltschko, W. & Wiltschko, R. Z. Tierpsychol. 37, 337–355 (1975).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  16. Wiltschko, W. & Wiltschko, R. Z. Tierpsychol. 39, 265–282 (1975).
    Article Google Scholar
  17. Bingman, V. P. Auk 104, 523–525 (1987).
    Article Google Scholar
  18. Weindler, P. & Wiltschko, W. Verh. Dtsch. Zool. Ges. 84, 369 (1991).
    Google Scholar
  19. Wiltschko, W. Z. Tierpsychol. 25, 537–558 (1968).
    Article CAS Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie der Universität Frankfurt a.M., Zoologie, Siesmayerstrasse 70, D 60054, Frankfurt a.M., Germany
    Peter Weindler, Roswitha Wiltschko & Wolfgang Wiltschko

Authors

  1. Peter Weindler
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. Roswitha Wiltschko
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. Wolfgang Wiltschko
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Weindler, P., Wiltschko, R. & Wiltschko, W. Magnetic information affects the stellar orientation of young bird migrants.Nature 383, 158–160 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/383158a0

Download citation