Are migrating raptors guided by a geomagnetic compass?
Animal Behaviour
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Abstract
We tested whether routes of raptors migrating over areas with homogeneous topography follow constant geomagnetic courses more or less closely than constant geographical courses. We analysed the routes taken over land of 45 individual raptors tracked by satellite-based radiotelemetry: 25 peregrine falcons, Falco peregrinus, on autumn migration between North and South America, and seven honey buzzards, Pernis apivorus, and 13 ospreys, Pandion haliaetus, on autumn migration between Europe and Africa. Overall, migration directions showed a better agreement with constant geographical than constant geomagnetic courses. Tracks deviated significantly from constant geomagnetic courses, but were not significantly different from geographical courses. After we removed movements directed far from the mean direction, which may not be migratory movements, migration directions still showed a better agreement with constant geographical than constant geomagnetic courses, but the directions of honey buzzards and ospreys were not significantly different from constant geomagnetic courses either. That migration routes of raptors followed by satellite telemetry are in closer accordance with constant geographical compass courses than with constant geomagnetic compass courses may indicate that geographical (e.g. based on celestial cues) rather than magnetic compass mechanisms are of dominating importance for the birds' long-distance orientation.
Suggested Citation
Thorup, K., Fuller, M.R., Alerstam, T., Hake, M., Kjellen, N., Standberg, R., 2006, Are migrating raptors guided by a geomagnetic compass?: Animal Behaviour, v. 72, no. 4, p. 875-880.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Are migrating raptors guided by a geomagnetic compass? |
| Series title | Animal Behaviour |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center |
| Description | p. 875-880 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Animal Behaviour |
| First page | 875 |
| Last page | 880 |