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Migratory Eurasian Reed Warblers Can Use Magnetic Declination to Solve the Longitude Problem.

Chernetsov, Nikita; Pakhomov, Alexander; Kobylkov, Dmitry; Kishkinev, Dmitry; Holland, Richard A.; Mouritsen, Henrik

Migratory Eurasian Reed Warblers Can Use Magnetic Declination to Solve the Longitude Problem. Thumbnail


Authors

Nikita Chernetsov

Alexander Pakhomov

Dmitry Kobylkov

Richard A. Holland

Henrik Mouritsen



Abstract

The longitude problem (determining east-west position) is a classical problem in human sea navigation. Prior to the use of GPS satellites, extraordinarily accurate clocks measuring the difference between local time and a fixed reference (e.g., GMT) [1] were needed to determine longitude. Birds do not appear to possess a time-difference clock sense [2]. Nevertheless, experienced night-migratory songbirds can correct for east-west displacements to unknown locations [3-9]. Consequently, migratory birds must solve the longitude problem in a different way, but how they do so has remained a scientific mystery [10]. We suggest that experienced adult Eurasian reed warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) can use magnetic declination to solve the longitude problem at least under some circumstances under clear skies. Experienced migrants tested during autumn migration in Rybachy, Russia, were exposed to an 8.5° change in declination while all other cues remained unchanged. This corresponds to a virtual magnetic displacement to Scotland if and only if magnetic declination is a part of their map. The adult migrants responded by changing their heading by 151° from WSW to ESE, consistent with compensation for the virtual magnetic displacement. Juvenile migrants that had not yet established a navigational map also oriented WSW at the capture site but became randomly oriented when the magnetic declination was shifted 8.5°. In combination with latitudinal cues, which birds are known to detect and use [10-12], magnetic declination could provide the mostly east-west component for a true bi-coordinate navigation system under clear skies for experienced migratory birds in some areas of the globe.

Acceptance Date Jul 11, 2017
Publication Date Aug 17, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Current Biology
Print ISSN 0960-9822
Publisher Elsevier
Pages 2647 - 2651.e2
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.024
Keywords magnetic compass, star compass, magnetic sense, magnetic map, bird migration
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982217308825?via%3Dihub

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