The behavioral mechanisms and ecology of bird migration form the primary focus of research in mylab. Current emphasis is on unraveling the complex orientation mechanisms used by migratorybirds. We are employing an ontogenetic approach to this problem, hand-raising birds under avariety of manipulations of their early experience with the relevant orientation stimuli (sun, skylightpolarization patterns, stars and the geomagnetic field). By discovering the processes involved in thedevelopment of orientation capabilities in young birds, we hope to understand better therelationships among the multiple orientation mechanisms used by adult migrants. We are alsointerested in the relative roles of exogenous (e.g., food availability, social dominance) andendogenous (e.g., daily or annual rhythms) factors in the control of migratory behavior. Most workis done with passerine night migrants.
Selected Publications
Able, K.P. 1995. Orientation and navigation: A perspective on fifty years of research. Condor, 97:592-604.
Able, K.P., and M.A. Able. 1995. Interactions in the flexible orientation system of a migratory bird. Nature, 375:230-232.
Able, K.P. and M.A. Able. 1996. The flexible migratory orientation system of the Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). J. Exper. Biol., 199:3-8.
Able, K.P. and M.A. Able. 1996. Migratory orientation: autumn calibration of magnetic orientation is not evident in spring. Naturwissenschaften, 83:517-518.
Able, K.P. and M.A. Able. 1997. Development of sunset orientation in a migratory bird: no calibration by the magnetic field. Anim. Behav., 53:363-368.
