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DOI

  • Thiemo Karwinkel
    Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg
  • Michael Winklhofer
    Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg
  • Dario Allenstein
    Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg
  • Vera Burst
    Institute of Avian Research ‘Vogelwarte Helgoland’
  • Paula Christoph
    Institute of Avian Research ‘Vogelwarte Helgoland’
  • Richard Holland
  • Ommo Huppop
    Institute of Avian Research ‘Vogelwarte Helgoland’
  • Jan Steen
    Institute of Avian Research ‘Vogelwarte Helgoland’
  • Franz Bairlein
    Institute of Avian Research ‘Vogelwarte Helgoland’
  • Heiko Schamaljohann
    Institute of Avian Research ‘Vogelwarte Helgoland’
Migratory songbirds may navigate by extracting positional information from
the geomagnetic field, potentially with a magnetic-particle-based receptor.
Previous studies assessed this hypothesis experimentally by exposing birds
to a strong but brief magnetic pulse aimed at remagnetizing the particles
and evoking an altered behaviour. Critically, such studies were not ideally
designed because they lacked an adequate sham treatment controlling for
the induced electric field that is fundamentally associated with a magnetic
pulse. Consequently, we designed a sham-controlled magnetic-pulse experiment, with sham and treatment pulse producing a similar induced electric
field, while limiting the sham magnetic field to a value that is deemed insufficient
to remagnetize particles. We tested this novel approach by pulsing more
than 250 wild, migrating European robins (Erithacus rubecula) during two
autumn seasons. After pulsing them, five traits of free-flight migratory behaviour
were observed, but no effect of the pulse could be found. Notably, one of
the traits, the migratory motivation of adults, was significantly affected in only
one of the two study years. Considering the problem of reproducing
experiments with wild animals, we recommend amulti-year approach encompassing large sample size, blinded design and built-in sham control to obtain future insights into the role of magnetic-particle-based magnetoreception in bird navigation.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the Royal Society: Interface
Volume21
Issue number214
Early online date15 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2024
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