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Interrelation of Magnetic Compass, Star Orientation, and the Sun in the Orientation of Blackcaps and Robins

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Avian Navigation

Part of the book series: Proceedings in Life Sciences ((LIFE SCIENCES))

Abstract

Orientation tests in the afternoon, at night and in the morning show that blackcaps and robins select their night migration direction before nightfall. But this process does not only depend on light. In a magnetic field with a reduced total intensity during the night (0.05 Gauss, mN - - -, 89° Incl.) the birds are able to select their migration direction. But they are totally disorientated in a magnetic field with a changing horizontal component by a day-night rhythm. In an analogous test arrangement with stationary stars, robins can maintain the migration direction. Under laboratory conditions an artificial sunset cannot be fixed as an orientation cue.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie/Zoologie, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität, Siesmayerstr. 70, D-6000, Frankfurt a.M., Germany

    W. Viehmann

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  1. W. Viehmann
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Biologia Generale, Università di Pisa, Via A. Volta, 6, I-56100, Pisa, Italy

    Floriano Papi

  2. Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany

    Hans G. Wallraff

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© 1982 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Viehmann, W. (1982). Interrelation of Magnetic Compass, Star Orientation, and the Sun in the Orientation of Blackcaps and Robins. 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_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68616-0_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-68618-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-68616-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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