The Magnetic Field as a Reference System for Genetically Encoded Migratory Direction in Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca Pallas)

To see whether the migratory orientation of pied flycatchers is genetically encoded with respect to the earth magnetic field a group of young birds was hand-raised and shown that their magnetic compass matures independent of any experience with the sky and contains sufficient information for the birds to orient toward their migratory direction.

Abstract

To see whether the migratory orientation of pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca Pallas) is genetically encoded with respect to the earth magnetic field a group of young birds was hand-raised. They were thus prevented from ever experiencing the sky. The birds were tested in autumn 1980 and 1981 in the local geomagnetic field (Fig. 1) and in three artificial fields (Fig. 2a-c). The results show that their magnetic compass matures independent of any experience with the sky and contains sufficient information for the birds to orient toward their migratory direction.