The functional architecture, receptive field characteristics, and representation of objects in the visual network of the pigeon brain

Abstract

We provide an extensive review of the pigeon visual system, focussing on the known cell types, receptive field characteristics, mechanisms of perception/visual attention, and projection profiles of neurons in the thalamofugal and tectofugal pathways. The similarities and differences with the primate visual system at each stage of the visual hierarchy are highlighted. We conclude with a discussion of object and face processing in birds, as well as the current state of knowledge in the search for face-selective neurons in the avian visual system.