The mystery of how homing pigeons are able to navigate home may have been solved. The birds use low-frequency sound waves to make a mental map of their location, new research suggests.
The findings, published Wednesday in the Journal of Experimental Biology, may shed light on why the normally amazing navigators sometimes get completely lost: the low-frequency waves from their current location don't reach their home loft.
Four-decade mystery
In 1969, a Cornell biology professor gave a talk to geologists at the school about the mystery of the lost homing pigeons. If the pigeons were taken to almost any locations, they headed straight home with amazing accuracy. But at one location, called Jersey Hill, the pigeons got completely lost, with each taking off in a random direction. At two other locations, the birds consistently headed in the same wrong direction. On a few trips, the birds would miraculously make it home, but then get lost the next day. [ The 10 Weirdest Animal Discoveries]
United States Geological Survey geologist John Hagstrum heard the talk, and the question nagged at him for years. In the 1990s, he discovered that birds in European pigeon races were going astray on clear-weather days, when the Concord, the supersonic plane, was in the area. That led him to wonder whether the sonic boom from the Concorde plane disrupted pigeon navigation by interfering with the sound waves.
Prior research had shown that birds hear incredibly low-frequency sound waves of about 0.1 Hertz, or a tenth of a cycle per second. These infrasound waves may emanate from in the ocean and create tiny disturbances in the atmosphere. Hagstrum began to think the bird's used infrasound for navigation.
"If that sound in the Earth is coupling through the topography, then maybe the birds are actually sort of seeing, or imaging, their topography around their loft acoustically," he told LiveScience.
Vast dataset
To test the idea that pigeons use infrasound to make an acoustic map of home, he used a computer program to model the emanation of infrasound waves from 200 sites around Cornell University where about 45,000 pigeons had been released over a 14-year period. He then compared sound wave location data with information on whether the pigeons had made it home.
f how homing pigeons are able to navigate home may have been solved. The birds use low-frequency sound waves to make a menhoming pigeons are able to navigate home may have been solved. The birds use low-frequency sound waves to make a mental map of their location, new research suggests.
Pam please tell Donnie these Hansennes do indeed have a lot of class. Large wings like I've never seen like maybe on a duck or owl. They have a lovely prance, and their Roman noses takes the cake. Love it! Keep up the good breeding Donnie.
Dear Don,
Just sending a gift for my appreciation for getting such nice Sion birds from you. When I get some youngsters from them, I will send you some photos. I am still planning on purchase another hen and cock. Have a good breeding season with your birds.
Received birds this morning here in Missouri. They are safe and both beautiful.
Beautiful female pigeon. Lovely mix of colors, fether quality and great posture. I figured her picture wasn't the best pose. The male is impressive and very masculine looking and I'm happy to say they are calm and get along very well together. Thanks again they are gorgeous....
The birds arrived today got them all tucked in the loft. You saved the best for last I think there nice birds ,,only sorry I didn't buy a couple of the other hens. Thanks alot
Hello. I received the birds today they look great. Thank you very much.
The Hen is here! Awesome bird & I can feel the power just holding her. She is very calm pigeon & that is always a plus. Thanks so much!
Hi this is Nate from Wisconsin. I just wanted to let you know the Andalusian cockbird made it here in good shape today. Thanks again!
Hi Don, birds are adapting well. I like their presentaion & calmness. Looks like they will fit in with my birds. I see what you mean about the BB. We'll see how he produces. Might b a genetic thing & go away when crossed with and unrelated hen.
Regards
Jim
Halo! Just picked up bird from post office. Thank you very much!
Thank you very much for your attention. the pigeons are beautiful and eat well. Im recommending your pigeons to my friends. I hope to buy more pigeons from you in the future. Thank you.
Arrived early and in perfect condition. I have 8 favorites.
