Horizon Light is Sparrows' Master Compass (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Horizon Light is Sparrows' Master Compass

Caption

Knowing about navigation: Savannah sparrows recalibrate their compass systems using polarized light at sunrise and sunset. Inset: (left) Savannah sparrows, (right) The Prime Meridian Sculpture at the Royal Museum of Navigation, UK features metal "sails" reminiscent of the alignments of the band of maximum polarization at sunrise and sunset at Spring and Fall equinoxes. Migratory birds are proposed to use the alignments at sunrise and sunset to determine the north-south meridian to assist in calibrating their other compass systems. This image relates to an article that appeared in the August 11, 2006, issue of the journal Science, published by AAAS. The study, by R. Muheim at Lund University in Lund, Sweden and colleagues, was titled "Polarized Light Cues Underlie Compass Calibrations in Migratory Songbirds."

Credit

Photo provided by Dr. Rachel Muheim, Lund University in Lund, Sweden and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA via <i>Science</i>-AAAS.

Usage Restrictions

Please cite the owner of the image when publishing. This image may be freely used by reporters as part of news coverage, with proper attribution. Non-reporters must contact <i>Science</I> for permission.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.