Geographical patterns in the initial orientation of homing pigeons in upstate New York

Abstract

The initial orientation of unmanipulated homing pigeons, Columba livia, from the Cornell University pigeon loft (Ithaca, New York) was used as a correlate to characterize the distribution of the information available for homing from different release sites. Sites where pigeons behave similarly were assumed to provide qualitatively or quantitatively similar information. Based on behavioural characteristics, cluster analysis combined several sites into geographically distinct clusters of sites. These clusters extend over several tens of kilometres. Experimental treatments aimed at manipulating the olfactory system were effective at sites of cluster 1 but not at others. This analysis supports the idea that the navigation system of the homing pigeon is redundant, involving several qualitatively or quantitatively different kinds of information. Depending on ontogenetic experience of the pigeon and environmental circumstances, the different kinds of information might be weighted differently in different regions, at different sites or even at the same site by different pigeons.