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Journal of Experimental Biology 29,532-560 (1952)
Published by Company of Biologists 1952

The Random Element in Bird ‘Navigation’

D. H. WILKINSON ¹

¹ Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge

An analysis is presented of the results to be expected from experiments on the homing of wild birds if the only factor operating is random search. It is found that this model reproduces the experimental results and predicts values for the parameters involved in the theory which are inherently plausible and which are in quantitative accord with experimental evidence. Attention is paid to the dependence of percentage return on distance of release, to the dependence of the average speed of return on this distance, and to the distribution in time of the returns. These three sets of data form a coherent picture within the framework of the hypothesis of random search. Certain types of migration are also briefly considered.

It is not suggested that this investigation proves that random search is indeed the mechanism by which the homing of wild birds is accomplished, but it is submitted that the large-scale experiments of the type considered here are not susceptible of the interpretation that a true navigational ability is involved.