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Sensitivity of the homing pigeon to an Earth-strength magnetic field

Abstract

THROUGH the use of a flight tunnel constructed within a controlled magnetic environment, it has been possible to train three pairs of homing pigeons (Columba livia) to discriminate between the presence and absence of a 0.5 gauss (Earth-strength) magnetic field. Successful discrimination was associated with flutter activity of the birds within the tunnel.

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BOOKMAN, M. Sensitivity of the homing pigeon to an Earth-strength magnetic field. Nature 267, 340–342 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/267340a0

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