Influence of emotional factors on the initial orientation of pigeons

The initial orientation of homing pigeons, Columba livia, immobilized for 30 min just before release or 24 h in advance, was heavily disturbed whereas homing performance was unaffected. Similar results were obtained by transporting the birds in the dark to the release site or driving them in the dark on a circuit around the release site. Both treatments appeared to reinforce the pigeons' tendency to fly in the preferred compass direction, which thus turns out to be an emotional component of orientation. The similarity noted with previous results obtained with magnetic treatments calls for a reconsideration of these results and of current views regarding the role of magnetism in pigeon navigation. (C) 1996 The Association for me Study of Animal Behaviour.