spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Able, K.
Right arrow Articles by Able, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Able, K.
Right arrow Articles by Able, M.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 199, Issue 1 3-8, Copyright © 1996 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

The flexible migratory orientation system of the savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

K Able and M Able

The orientation system of the Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is typical of nocturnal migrant passerine birds. It is based on a system of interacting compass senses: magnetic, star, polarized light and, perhaps, sun compasses. The magnetic compass capability develops in birds that have never seen the sky, but the preferred direction of magnetic orientation may be calibrated by celestial rotation (stars at night and polarized skylight patterns during the day). This ability to recalibrate magnetic orientation persists throughout life and enables the bird to compensate for variability in magnetic declination that may be encountered as it migrates. The polarized light compass may be manipulated by exposing young birds to altered patterns of skylight polarization. There is some evidence that the magnetic field may be involved in calibration of the polarized light compass. In short-term orientation decision-making during migration, visual information at sunset overrides both stars and magnetic cues, and polarized skylight is the relevant stimulus in dusk orientation. The star pattern compass seems to be of little importance. This extremely flexible orientation system enables the birds to respond to spatial and temporal variability in the quality and availability of orientation information.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Biol RhythmsHome page
A. J. Coverdill, G. E. Bentley, and M. Ramenofsky
Circadian and Masking Control of Migratory Restlessness in Gambel's White-Crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii)
J Biol Rhythms, February 1, 2008; 23(1): 59 - 68.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
L. Avens and K. J. Lohmann
Navigation and seasonal migratory orientation in juvenile sea turtles
J. Exp. Biol., May 1, 2004; 207(11): 1771 - 1778.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
L. Avens and K. J. Lohmann
Use of multiple orientation cues by juvenile loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta
J. Exp. Biol., December 1, 2003; 206(23): 4317 - 4325.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
G. Gudmundsson and R Sandberg
Sanderlings (Calidris alba) have a magnetic compass: orientation experiments during spring migration in Iceland
J. Exp. Biol., January 10, 2000; 203(20): 3137 - 3144.
[Abstract]


© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1996