- 1.
Head-bobbing of pigeons during walking and landing was studied using high-speed motion photography.
- 2.
The analysis of film records indicated that head-bobbing whilst walking consists of two phases: one where the head is ‘locked’ in space but moves backward relative to its forward moving body; and another where it is thrust rapidly forward to a new position.
- 3.
The fact that head-bobbing is abolished when pigeons walk on a treadmill suggests it is primarily a visual response rather than an equilibratory response.
- 4.
Data are presented which show that stabilization during the ‘lock’ phase allows a small degree of slippage which is the probable source of error signals for compensatory head movements.
- 5.
The head-bobbing that appears to occur during landing is shown to be illusory.
The Optokinetic Basis of Head-bobbing in the Pigeon
B. J. FROST; The Optokinetic Basis of Head-bobbing in the Pigeon. J Exp Biol 1 June 1978; 74 (1): 187–195. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.74.1.187
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