Professor Richard Holland
Professor in Animal Behaviour / Director of Research
![](https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/files/52215907/Portrait.jpg)
Affiliations
Contact info
Room: 531 Brambell
Email: r.holland@bangor.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1248 382344
Web: Bangor Animal Navigation Group Google Scholar Researchgate
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. New avenues my lab is exploring include the impact of artificial light and electromagnetic noise on navigation and spatial cognition, and the impact of antimicrobial resistant bacteria on bird behaviour.
Biography:
2021-2024, Director of Research, School of Natural Sciences
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
- Article › Research › Peer-reviewed
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
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., Aug 2024, In: Biological Reviews. 99, 4, p. 1576-1593 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
A refined magnetic pulse treatment method for magnetic navigation experiments with adequate sham control: a case study on free-flying songbirds
Karwinkel, T., Winklhofer, M., Allenstein, D., Burst, V., Christoph, P., Holland, R., Huppop, O., Steen, J., Bairlein, F. & Schamaljohann, H., 15 May 2024, In: Journal of the Royal Society: Interface. 21, 214Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 47-57Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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, 2Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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Evidence for a navigational map stretching across the continental US in a migratory songbird
Thorup, K., Bisson, I. A., Bowlin, M. S., Holland, R., Wingfield, J. C., Ramenofsky, M. & Wikelski, M., 13 Nov 2007, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 104, 46, p. 18115-18119 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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, 10Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 1369-1373Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
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Flexibility of Continental Navigation and Migration in European Mallards
van Toor, M. L., Hedenstrom, A., Waldenstrom, J., Fiedler, W., Holland, R. A., Thorup, K. & Wikelski, M., 30 Aug 2013, In: PLoS ONE. 8, 8, e72629.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Flexibility of habitat use innovel environments: Insights from a translocation experiment with Lesser Black-backed Gulls
van Toor, M., Arriero, E., Holland, R., J. Huttunen, M., Juvaste, R., Müller, I., Thorup, K., Wikelski, M. & Safi, K., 18 Jan 2017, In: Royal Society Open Science. 4, 160164.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Grouping promotes risk-taking in unfamiliar settings
Kareklas, K., Elwood, R. W. & Holland, R. A., 1 Mar 2018, In: Behavioural Processes. 148, p. 41-45Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Juvenile Songbirds Compensate for Displacement to Oceanic Islands during Autumn Migration
Thorup, K., Ortvad, T. E., Rabol, J., Holland, R., Tottrup, A. P. & Wikelski, M., 2011, In: PLoS ONE. 6, 3, e17903.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Large-Range Movements of Neotropical Orchid Bees Observed via Radio Telemetry
Wikelski, M., Moxley, J., Eaton-Mordas, A., Lopez-Uribe, M. M., Holland, R., Moskowitz, D., Roubik, D. W. & Kays, R., 2010, In: PLoS ONE. 5Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 2647-2651Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Migratory bats are sensitive to magnetic inclination changes during the compass calibration period
Schneider, W. T., Holland, R. A., Keišs, O. & Lindecke, O., Nov 2023, In: Biology letters. 19, 11, 20230181.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 1563-1569Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 56-65Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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Orientation of vagrant birds on the Faroe Islands in the Atlantic Ocean
Thorup, K., Ortvad, T., Holland, R., Rabøl, J., Kristensen, M. & Wikelski, M., 1 Oct 2012, In: Journal of Ornithology. 153, 4, p. 1261-1265 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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. 153-161Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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, 22Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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. 1-4Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 127-135Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 159-170Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Reply to "Animal magnetic sensitivity and magnetic displacement experiments
Schneider, W., Wynn, J., Packmor, F., Lindecke, O. & Holland, R., 27 May 2024, In: Communications Biology. 7, 1, p. 651 1 p., 651.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- 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. 220-230Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Sense of doubt: Inaccurate and alternate locations of virtual magnetic displacements may give a distorted view of animal magnetoreception ability
Schneider, W., Holland, R., Packmor, F. & Lindecke, O., 20 Feb 2023, In: Communications Biology. 6, 1, 8 p., 187.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
- 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, 10Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review
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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 journal › Article › peer-review