- 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.
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June 1978
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