Abstract
The contribution of path information to the homing process of adult experienced pigeons is by no means consensual. Adult pigeons are expected to determine the homeward direction solely based on information gathered at the release site (i.e., map information). However, several are the evidences suggesting that path information is somehow important to the homing process. Using adult homing pigeons and manipulation of the pigeons’ access to olfactory information from the displacement to the release site by means of nasal plugs that were applied unilaterally, we accessed the contribution of olfactory path information to the homing process. Pigeons transported to the release site with only the right nostril plugged were impaired on the determination of the initial homeward direction, while pigeons transported to the release site with only the left nostril plugged were impaired on the homing speed. The present findings highlight the importance of information from the path to the navigational process wherein olfactory path information contributes to the accurate determination of the homeward direction and in keeping the pigeon’s motivation to fly home. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Animal migration has fascinated mankind for generations. However, and although vast research has been done on the subject, it is still controversial the way as animals accomplish such endeavor task. Using homing pigeons, a biological model for spatial processing, and behavioral experiments for manipulation of information from the path (here, olfactory), we showed that information from the path contributes to the accurate determination of the initial homeward direction and to keep the pigeon’s motivation to fly home. Therefore, information from the path (here, olfactory) appears to lie at the heart of the processing of spatial information in migrating animals, contributing to the accurate determination of flying course and motivation to reach the destination.
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