Olfactory information from the path is relevant to the homing process of adult pigeons

Jorge, Paulo E.; Pinto, Belmiro V.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/6199

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Authors

Jorge, Paulo E.

Pinto, Belmiro V.

Abstract(s)

The contribution of path information to the homing process of adult experienced pigeons is by no means consensual. Adult pigeons are expected to determine the homeward direction solely based on information gathered at the release site (i.e., map information). However, several are the evidences suggesting that path information is somehow important to the homing process. Using adult homing pigeons andmanipulation of the pigeons’ access to olfactory information from the displacement to the release site bymeans of nasal plugs that were applied unilaterally, we accessed the contribution of olfactory path information to the homing process. Pigeons transported to the release site with only the right nostril plugged were impaired on the determination of the initial homeward direction, while pigeons transported to the release site with only the left nostril plugged were impaired on the homing speed. The present findings highlight the importance of information from the path to the navigational process wherein olfactory path information contributes to the accurate determination of the homeward direction and in keeping the pigeon’s motivation to fly home.