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Journal of Experimental Biology 74,187-195 (1978)
Published by Company of Biologists 1978

The Optokinetic Basis of Head-bobbing in the Pigeon

B. J. FROST ¹

¹ Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

1. Head-bobbing of pigeons during walking and landing was studied using high-speed motion photography.

2. The analysis of film records indicated that head-bobbing whilst walking consists of two phases: one where the head is ‘locked’ in space but moves backward relative to its forward moving body; and another where it is thrust rapidly forward to a new position.

3. The fact that head-bobbing is abolished when pigeons walk on a treadmill suggests it is primarily a visual response rather than an equilibratory response.

4. Data are presented which show that stabilization during the ‘lock’ phase allows a small degree of slippage which is the probable source of error signals for compensatory head movements.

5. The head-bobbing that appears to occur during landing is shown to be illusory.

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