Professor Richard Holland

Professor in Animal Behaviour / Director of Research

Contact info

Room: 531 Brambell

Email: r.holland@bangor.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1248 382344

Web: Bangor Animal Navigation Group  Google Scholar Researchgate

Director of research, School of Natural Sciences

My research and teaching interests fall broadly in the area of animal behaviour and sensory biology. I am the course co-ordinator for the Zoology with Animal Behaviour degree (C3D3) and teach on several animal behaviour focused modules, as well as ornithology. My research questions focus the cognitive processes and sensory mechanisms by which animals navigate and migrate. While my principle focus is at the level of the whole organism I also incorporate aspects of neurobiology, molecular biology, and physics to identify the  environmental cues, sensory pathways and mechanisms used by animals to decide how, when and where to move. My work also operates in a comparative framework as I compare and contrast across species, taxa, age class, spatial scale and sensory mechanisms to reveal how natural selection has acted to shape navigation behaviour in different animal groups.

Biography:

2020-current, Professor in Animal Behaviour

2017-2020, Senior Lecturer, Bangor University

2016-2017, Lecturer, Bangor University

2011-2016, Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast

2009-2010, Research scientist, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology

2006-2008, Marie Curie Outgoing International fellow, Princeton University and University of Leeds

2002-2005, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Leeds

1999-2002, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Nebraska

1994-1998, DPhil, Oxford University

1990-1993, BSc (Hons), University of Nottingham

Research Area:

Animal Physiology, Behaviour and Conservation

  1. Evidence for repeated independent evolution of migration in the largest family of bats

    Bisson, I. A., Safi, K. & Holland, R., 21 Oct 2009, In: PLoS ONE. 4, 10

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  2. Published

    The effect of observing trained conspecifics on the performance and motivation of goldfish, Carassius auratus, in a spatial task

    Blane, J. C. & Holland, R. A., Apr 2024, In: Behavioural Processes. 217, 105021.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  3. Tracking clock-shifted homing pigeons from familiar release sites

    Bonadona, F., Holland, R., Dall'Antonia, L., Guilford, T. & Benvenuti, S., Jan 2000, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 203, 2, p. 207-212 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  4. Further evidence for visual landmark involvement in the pigeon's familiar area map

    Burt, T., Holland, R. & Guilford, T., Jun 1997, In: Animal Behaviour. 53, p. 1203-1209 7 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  5. Published

    Migratory Eurasian reed warblers can use magnetic declination to solve the longitude problem

    Chernetsov, N., Pakhomov, A., Kobylkov, D., Kishkinev, D., Holland, R. & Mouritsen, H., 11 Sept 2017, In: Current Biology. 27, 17, p. 2647-2651

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  6. Published

    A functional role of the sky’s polarization pattern for orientation in the greater mouse-eared bat

    Greif, S., Borissov, I., Yovel, Y. & Holland, R., 2014, In: Nature Communications. 5, 4488.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  7. Published

    Repeated training of homing pigeons reveals age dependent idiosyncrasy and visual landmark use.

    Griffiths, C., Schiffner, I., Price, E., Charnell-Hughes, M., Kishkinev, D. & Holland, R., Jul 2021, In: Animal Behaviour. 177, p. 159-170

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  8. Published

    Is There Visual Lateralisation of the Sun Compass in Homing Pigeons?

    Griffiths, C., Holland, R. & Gagliardo, A., 5 May 2020, In: Symmetry. 12, 5, 740.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  9. Published

    Homing pigeons use olfactory cues for navigation in England

    Guilford, T., Gagliardo, A., Chappell, J., Bonadonna, F., De Perera, T. B. & Holland, R., 1998, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 201, 6, p. 895-900 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  10. Migratory navigation in birds: new opportunities in an era of fast-developing tracking technology

    Guilford, T., Akesson, S., Gagliardo, A., Holland, R. A., Mouritsen, H., Muheim, R., Wiltschko, R., Wiltschko, W. & Bingman, V. P., Nov 2011, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 214, 22, p. 3705-3712 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  11. Bats use magnetite to detect the earth's magnetic field

    Holland, R., Kirschvink, J. L., Doak, T. G. & Wikelski, M., 27 Feb 2008, In: PLoS ONE. 3, 2

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  12. True navigation in birds: from quantum physics to global migration

    Holland, R., May 2014, In: Journal of Zoology. 293, 1, p. 1-15

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

  13. Studying the migratory behavior of individual bats: Current techniques and future directions

    Holland, R. & Wikelski, M., 15 Dec 2009, In: Journal of Mammalogy. 90, 6, p. 1324-1329 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  14. Echolocation signal structure in the Megachiropteran bat Rousettus aegyptiacus Geoffroy 1810

    Holland, R., Waters, D. A. & Rayner, J. M. V., Dec 2004, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 207, 25, p. 4361-4369 9 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  15. The Secret Life of Oilbirds: New Insights into the Movement Ecology of a Unique Avian Frugivore

    Holland, R., Wikelski, M., Kummeth, F. & Bosque, C., 2009, In: PLoS ONE. 4, 12, e8264.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  16. A nocturnal mammal, the greater mouse-eared bat, calibrates a magnetic compass by the sun

    Holland, R., Borissov, I. & Siemers, B. M., 13 Apr 2010, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 107, 15, p. 6941-6945 5 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  17. Published

    Orientation and Navigation in Bats

    Holland, R., 2010, Encyclopedia of Animal Behaviour. Academic Press, Vol. 2. p. 177-185 9 p.

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

  18. Differential effects of magnetic pulses on the orientation of naturally migrating birds

    Holland, R., 6 Nov 2010, In: Journal of the Royal Society, Interface. 7, 52, p. 1617-1625 9 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  19. How and why do insects migrate?

    Holland, R., Wikelski, M. & Wilcove, D. S., 11 Aug 2006, In: Science. 313, 5788, p. 794-796 3 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  20. A magnetic pulse does not affect homing pigeon navigation: a GPS tracking experiment

    Holland, R., Filannino, C. & Gagliardo, A., 29 May 2013, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 216, 12, p. 2192-2200 9 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  21. The role of visual landmarks in the avian familiar area map - Commentary

    Holland, R., Jun 2003, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 206, 11, p. 1773-1778 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  22. Where the Wild things Go

    Holland, R., Thorup, K. & Wikelski, M., 2007, In: Biologist. 54, p. 2-7 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  23. Echolocation signals and pinnae movement in the fruitbat Rousettus aegyptiacus

    Holland, R. & Waters, D. A., 2005, In: Acta Chiropterologica. 7, 1, p. 83-90 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  24. Published

    Nature’s GPS: how animals use the natural world to perform extraordinary feats of navigation

    Holland, R., 30 Dec 2021, The Conversation.

    Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

  25. Testing the role of sensory systems in the migratory heading of a songbird

    Holland, R., Thorup, K., Gagliardo, A., Bisson, I. A., Knecht, E., Mizrahi, D. & Wikelski, M., 15 Dec 2009, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 212, 24, p. 4065-4071 7 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  26. Navigation: Bat orientation using Earth's magnetic field

    Holland, R., Thorup, K., Vonhof, M. J., Cochran, W. W. & Wikelski, M., 7 Dec 2006, In: Nature. 444, 7120, p. 702 1 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  27. Emergence time and foraging activity in Pallas' mastiff bat, Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in relation to sunset/sunrise and phase of the moon

    Holland, R. A., Meyer, C. F. J., Kalko, E. K. V., Kays, R. & Wikelski, M., Dec 2011, In: Acta Chiropterologica. 13, 2, p. 399-404 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  28. Blind as a bat? The sensory basis of orientation and navigation at night

    Holland, R., 2008, In the neurobiology of Umwelt: how animals perceive the world. Springer, p. 125-139

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

  29. Sensory systems and spatial memory in the fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus

    Holland, R., Winter, P. & Waters, D. A., Aug 2005, In: Ethology. 111, 8, p. 715-725 11 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  30. Short distance phase shifts revisited: tracking clock-shifted homing pigeons (Rock Dove Columba livia) close to the loft

    Holland, R., Bonadonna, F., Dall'antonia, L., Benvenuti, S., De Perera, T. B. & Guilford, T., Jan 2000, In: Ibis. 142, 1, p. 111-118 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  31. A strong magnetic pulse affects the precision of departure direction of naturally migrating adult but not juvenile birds

    Holland, R. A. & Helm, B., 6 Apr 2013, In: Journal of the Royal Society, Interface. 10, 81, 20121047.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  32. Orientation and navigation in bats: known unknowns or unknown unknowns?

    Holland, R., Mar 2007, In: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 61, 5, p. 653-660 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  33. The effect of familiarity on echolocation in the megachiropteran bat Rousettus aegyptiacus

    Holland, R. & Waters, D. A., 1 Sept 2007, In: Behaviour. 144, 9, p. 1053-1064 12 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  34. Published

    Satellite tracking of red-listed nominate lesser black-backed gulls (Larus f. fuscus): habitat specialisation in foraging movements raises novel conservation needs

    Juvaste, R., Arriero, E., Gagliardo, A., Holland, R., Huttunen, M. J., Mueller, I., Thorup, K., Wikelski, M., Penttinen, M-L., Hannila, J. & Wistbacka, R., Apr 2017, In: Global Ecology and Conservation. 10, p. 220-230

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  35. Published

    Plasticity varies with boldness in a weakly-electric fish

    Kareklas, K., Arnott, G., Elwood, R. W. & Holland, R., 6 Jun 2016, In: Frontiers in Zoology. 13, 22

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  36. Published

    Grouping promotes risk-taking in unfamiliar settings

    Kareklas, K., Elwood, R. W. & Holland, R. A., 1 Mar 2018, In: Behavioural Processes. 148, p. 41-45

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  37. Published

    Relationships between personality and lateralisation of sensory inputs

    Kareklas, K., Elwood, R. W., Arnott, G. & Holland, R., Jul 2018, In: Animal Behaviour. 141, p. 127-135

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  38. Published

    Fish learn collectively, but groups with differing personalities are slower to decide 1 and more likely to split

    Kareklas, K., Elwood, R. W. & Holland, R., 2018, In: Biology Open. 2018, 7, bio033613.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  39. Published

    Personality effects on spatial learning: comparisons between visual conditions in a weakly-electric fish

    Kareklas, K., Elwood, R. W. & Holland, R., 2017, In: Ethology.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  40. Accepted/In press

    A conceptual framework on the role of magnetic cues in songbird migration ecology

    Karwinkel, T., Peter, A., Holland, R., Thorup, K., Bairlein, F. & Schmaljohann, H., 10 Apr 2024, (Accepted/In press) In: Biological Reviews.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  41. Published

    Navigation by extrapolation of geomagnetic cues in a migratory songbird

    Kishkinev, D., Packmor, F., Thomas, Z., Hans, W., Mouritsen, H., Chernetsov, N. & Holland, R., 12 Apr 2021, In: Current Biology. 31, 7, p. 1563-1569

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  42. Published

    Anosmic migrating songbirds demonstrate a compensatory response following long-distance translocation: a radio-tracking study

    Kishkinev, D., Anashina, A., Ishchenko, I. & Holland, R. A., Jan 2020, In: Journal of Ornithology. 161, 1, p. 47-57

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  43. Polarized skylight does not calibrate the compass system of a migratory bat

    Lindecke, O., Voigt, C. C., Petersons, G. & Holland, R., 16 Sept 2015, In: Biology Letters. 11, 9, p. 1-4

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  44. Published

    Experienced migratory bats integrate the sun's position at dusk for navigation at night

    Lindecke, O., Elksne, A., Holland, R. A., Petersons, G. & Voigt, C. C., 22 Apr 2019, In: Current Biology. 29, p. 1369-1373

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  45. Published

    Orientation and flight behaviour identify the Soprano pipistrelle as a migratory bat species at the Baltic Sea coast

    Lindecke, O., Elksne, A., Holland, R., Petersons, G. & Voigt, C. C., 1 May 2019, In: Journal of Zoology. 308, 1, p. 56-65

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  46. Published

    Corneal sensitivity is required for orientation in free-flying migratory bats

    Lindecke, O., Holland, R., Petersons, G. & Voigt, C. C., 5 May 2021, In: Communications Biology. 4, 1, 522.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  47. Place versus response learning in fish: a comparison between species

    McAroe, C. L., Craig, C. M. & Holland, R., Jan 2016, In: Animal Cognition. 19, 1, p. 153-161

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  48. Published

    Shoaling promotes place over response learning but does not facilitate individual learning of that strategy in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

    McAroe, C. L., Craig, C. M. & Holland, R., 2017, In: BMC Zoology. 2, 10

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  49. Published

    A comparison of machine-learning assisted optical and thermal camera systems for beehive activity counting

    Morton Williams, S., Bariselli, S., Palego, C., Holland, R. & Cross, P., 1 Dec 2022, In: Smart Agricultural Technology. 2, 100038.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  50. Published

    A magnet attached to the forehead disrupts magnetic compass orientation in a migratory songbird

    Packmor, F., Kishkinev, D., Bittermann, F., Kofler, B., Machowetz, C., Zechmeister, T., Zawadzki, L., Guilford, T. & Holland, R., Nov 2021, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 224, 22, 10 p., 243337.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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