2022/09/16 by Thiemo Karwinkel, Michael Winklhofer, Lars Erik Janner +4 · 1 voice · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Health Professions · #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects #Noise Effects and Management
paper · doi:10.1242/jeb.244473
openalex publication_date 2022/09/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
Current evidence suggests that migratory animals extract map information from the geomagnetic field for true navigation. The sensory basis underlying this feat is elusive, but presumably involves magnetic particles. A common experimental manipulation procedure consists of pre-treating animals with a magnetic pulse, with the aim of re-magnetising particles to alter the internal representation of the external field prior to a navigation task. Although pulsing provoked deflected bearings in caged songbirds, analogous studies with free-flying songbirds yielded inconsistent results. Here, we pulsed European robins (Erithacus rubecula) at an offshore stopover site during spring migration and monitored their free-flight behaviour with a regional-scale network of radio-receiving stations. We found no pulse effect on departure probability, nocturnal departure timing departure direction or consistency of flight direction. This suggests either no use of the geomagnetic map by our birds, or that magnetic pulses do not affect the sensory system underlying geomagnetic map detection.