Sensitivity of the Homing Pigeon to an Earth-Strength Magnetic Field

Abstract

Although the Earth’s magnetic field appears to be involved in orientation, previous laboratory experiments have been unable to confirm the magnetic sensitivity of homing pigeons. In the experiments described here, a flight tunnel was constructed within a shielded chamber and used to train three pairs of pigeons (Columba livia) to discriminate between the presence and absence of a 0.5 gauss (Earth-strength) magnetic field. Successful discrimination was associated with flutter activity of the birds within the tunnel.