Sleep in the domestic pigeon ( Columba livia)

Abstract

The EEG, EOG, neck EMG and head movements were recorded and behavioral observations made during undisturbed sleep and wakefulness in three domestic pigeons ( Columba livia). Three states of sleep and wakefulness were distinguished: (a) Wakefulness, characterized by behavioral activity, a low voltage-high frequency EEG, ocular movements and high tonic neck EMG activity. (b) Slow-wave sleep, characterized by behavioral inactivity, high voltage slow EEG activity, and reduced tonic neck activity. (c) REM sleep, characterized by successive downward and rotational jerks of the head, a low voltage-high frequency EEG, clusters of 3-8 eye movements and a marginal but inconsistent decrease in EMG activity. REMs persisted when the pigeon's head was immobilized. Forty-two percent of the 24-hr period was spent asleep. REM sleep episodes had a mean duration of 11 sec and constituted 7% of total sleep time and 3% of the 24-hr period.