Wiltschko, Wolfgang

Munro, Ursula

Ford, Hugh Alastair

Wiltschko, Roswitha

2003

The ability of migratory silvereyes to orient was tested in the geomagnetic field with one eye covered. Silvereyes using only their right eye were able to orient in migratory direction just as well as birds using both eyes. Using only their left eye, however, the birds did not show a significant directional preference. These data indicate that directional information from the magnetic field is mediated almost exclusively by the right eye and processed by the left hemisphere of the brain. Together with corresponding findings from European robins and indications for a similar phenomenon in homing pigeons, they suggest that a strong lateralisation of the magnetic compass is widespread among birds.

Australian Journal of Zoology, 51(6), p. 597-602

1446-5698

0004-959X

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/2736

en

CSIRO Publishing

Lateralisation of magnetic compass orientation in silvereyes, 'Zosterops lateralis'

Journal Article

Publication