Structure of Turning in Airborne Rock Dove (Columba livia) Flocks

Abstract

We describe a nonstereo, three-dimensional photographic technique to study the turning movements of flocks of semidomestic Rock Doves (Columba livia). The method permits sequential examination of an individual's position and flight path. The birds in flocks we studied with this technique did not maintain fixed positions. Birds continually reposi- tioned themselves during a turn. Such repositioning of individuals may be more significant in the predator-evasion function of cluster flocks than for aerodynamics. Received