{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,1]],"date-time":"2026-04-01T20:20:25Z","timestamp":1775074825462,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":56,"publisher":"The Company of Biologists","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:title>Summary<\/jats:title>\n               <jats:p>The magnetic field, the sun, the stars and the polarization pattern of visible light during twilight are important cues for orientation in nocturnally migrating songbirds. As these cues change with time and location on Earth, the polarization pattern was put forward as a likely key reference system calibrating the other compass systems. Whether this applies generally to migratory birds is, however, controversially discussed. We used an experimental approach in free-flying birds to study the role of polarization for their departure direction in autumn. Experimental birds experienced a 90\u00b0 shift of the band of maximum polarization during sunset, whereas control-birds experienced the polarization pattern as under natural condition. Full view of the sunset cues near the horizon was provided during the cue conflict exposure. Here we show both the experimental and the control-birds being released after nautical twilight departed consistently towards south-southeast. Radio telemetry allowed tracking first 15 km of birds' way out, thus the intrinsic migration direction as chosen by the birds was measured. We found no recalibration of the magnetic compass after pre-exposure to a cue conflict between the natural magnetic field and the artificially shifted polarization pattern at sunset. The lacking difference in the departure direction of both groups may suggests that birds did not recalibrate any of the compass systems during the experiment. As free-flying migrants can use all available orientation cues after release, it remains unknown whether our birds might have used the magnetic and\/or star compass to determine their departure direction.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.080580","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2012,12,23]],"date-time":"2012-12-23T03:17:56Z","timestamp":1356232676000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":20,"title":["Response of a free-flying songbird to an experimental shift of the light polarization pattern around sunset"],"prefix":"10.1242","author":[{"given":"Heiko","family":"Schmaljohann","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Avian Research, Germany;"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Tobias","family":"Rautenberg","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Avian Research, Germany;"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Rachel","family":"Muheim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Lund University, Sweden;"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Beat","family":"Naef-Daenzer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Swiss Ornithological Institute, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Franz","family":"Bairlein","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Avian Research, Germany;"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"237","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2012,1,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"2021042507200544400_R1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"550","DOI":"10.1038\/299550a0","article-title":"Skylight polarization patterns at dusk influence migratory orientation in birds","volume":"299","author":"Able","year":"1982","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"523","DOI":"10.1038\/364523a0","article-title":"Daytime calibration of magnetic orientation in a migratory bird requires a view of skylight polarization","volume":"364","author":"Able","year":"1993","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R3","volume-title":"Manual of Field Methods. European\u2013African Songbird Migration","author":"Bairlein","year":"1994"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"180","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2041-210X.2010.00013.x","article-title":"Meta-analysis of transmitter effects on avian behaviour and ecology","volume":"1","author":"Barron","year":"2010","journal-title":"Methods Ecol. Evol"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"398","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2041-210X.2010.00043.x","article-title":"The effects of geolocator drag and weight on the flight ranges of small migrants","volume":"1","author":"Bowlin","year":"2010","journal-title":"Methods Ecol. Evol"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"178","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1474-919X.2001.tb04475.x","article-title":"Flight characteristics of birds: I. Radar measurements of speeds","volume":"143","author":"Bruderer","year":"2001","journal-title":"Ibis"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R7","first-page":"306","article-title":"An aerodynamic basis for selecting transmitter loads in birds","volume":"97","author":"Caccamise","year":"1985","journal-title":"Wilson Bull."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2540","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.057729","article-title":"Not all songbirds calibrate their magnetic compass from twilight cues: a telemetry study","volume":"214","author":"Chernetsov","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Exp. Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R9","first-page":"507","article-title":"Wildlife telemetry","volume-title":"Wildlife Management Techniques Manual","author":"Cochran","year":"1980"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"405","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1095844","article-title":"Migrating songbirds recalibrate their magnetic compass daily from twilight cues","volume":"304","author":"Cochran","year":"2004","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R11","volume-title":"Statistical Computing. An Introduction to Data Analysis using S-Plus","author":"Crawley","year":"2005"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1069","DOI":"10.1007\/s00265-007-0534-8","article-title":"Obligatory barrier crossing and adaptive fuel management in migratory birds: the case of the Atlantic crossing in northern wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe)","volume":"62","author":"Delingat","year":"2008","journal-title":"Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-048X.2008.04343.x","article-title":"Fuel reserves affect migratory orientation of thrushes and sparrows both before and after crossing an ecological barrier near their breeding grounds","volume":"40","author":"Deutschlander","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Avian Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R14","volume-title":"Die Vogelwelt der Insel Helgoland","author":"Dierschke","year":"2011"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"283","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-662-11147-5_27","article-title":"Orientation strategies used by free-flying bird migrants: a radar tracking study","volume-title":"Animal Migration, Navigation and Homing","author":"Emlen","year":"1978"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"361","DOI":"10.2307\/4083048","article-title":"A technique for recording migratory orientation of captive birds","volume":"83","author":"Emlen","year":"1966","journal-title":"Auk"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R17","first-page":"155","article-title":"Wind and rain govern the intensity of nocturnal bird migration in central Europe \u2013 a log-linear regression analysis","volume":"90","author":"Erni","year":"2002","journal-title":"Ardea"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1333","DOI":"10.1007\/s00265-010-0948-6","article-title":"Orientation of the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca cue-conflict experiments during spring migration","volume":"64","author":"Gaggini","year":"2010","journal-title":"Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2347","DOI":"10.1364\/JOSAA.24.002347","article-title":"Polarization patterns of thick clouds: overcast skies have distribution of the angle of polarization similar to that of clear skies","volume":"24","author":"Heged\u00fcs","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Opt. Soc. Am. A"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"238","DOI":"10.2981\/0909-6396(2007)13[238:COCRTA]2.0.CO;2","article-title":"The cost of carrying radio-transmitters: a test with homing pigeons","volume":"13","author":"Irvine","year":"2007","journal-title":"Wildl. Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1142\/4031","volume-title":"Topics in Circular Statistics","author":"Jammalamadaka","year":"2001"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R22","first-page":"246","article-title":"A new multi-category classification of subcutaneous fat deposits of songbirds","volume":"64","author":"Kaiser","year":"1993","journal-title":"J. Field Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R23","volume-title":"A Manual for Wildlife Radio Tagging","author":"Kenward","year":"2001"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.5122\/cbirds.2012.0001","article-title":"Avian orientation: multi-cue integration and calibration of compass systems","volume":"3","author":"Liu","year":"2012","journal-title":"Chin. Birds"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"379","DOI":"10.1163\/156853900502132","article-title":"To cross the sea or to follow the coast? Flight directions and behaviour of migrating raptors approaching the Mediterranean Sea in autumn","volume":"137","author":"Meyer","year":"2000","journal-title":"Behaviour"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-185X.1987.tb00626.x","article-title":"Sunset and the orientation behaviour of migrating birds","volume":"62","author":"Moore","year":"1987","journal-title":"Biol. Rev. Camb. Philos. Soc."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.01960","article-title":"Calibration of magnetic and celestial compass cues in migratory birds \u2013 a review of cue-conflict experiments","volume":"209","author":"Muheim","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Exp. Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"837","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1129709","article-title":"Polarized light cues underlie compass calibration in migratory songbirds","volume":"313","author":"Muheim","year":"2006","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"485","DOI":"10.1007\/s10336-007-0187-4","article-title":"Magnetic compass of migratory Savannah sparrows is calibrated by skylight polarization at sunrise and sunset","volume":"148","author":"Muheim","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"659","DOI":"10.1007\/s10336-008-0337-3","article-title":"Response to R. Wiltschko et al. (J. Ornithol.): Contradictory results on the role of polarized light in compass calibration in migratory songbirds","volume":"149","author":"Muheim","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3466","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.032771","article-title":"White-throated sparrows calibrate their magnetic compass by polarized light cues during both autumn and spring migration","volume":"212","author":"Muheim","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Exp. Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"404","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2007.0908-8857.03863.x","article-title":"An allometric function to fit leg-loop harnesses to terrestrial birds","volume":"38","author":"Naef-Daenzer","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Avian Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R33","first-page":"15","article-title":"A test for effects of radio-tagging on survival and movements of small birds","volume":"1","author":"Naef-Daenzer","year":"2001","journal-title":"Avian Sci."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4063","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.01870","article-title":"Miniaturization (0.2 g) and evaluation of attachment techniques of telemetry transmitters","volume":"208","author":"Naef-Daenzer","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Exp. Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"180","DOI":"10.1007\/BF01651909","article-title":"Methodische Aspekte zur Untersuchung der Zugaktivit\u00e4t im Emlen-Trichter","volume":"141","author":"Nievergelt","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2225","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.202.16.2225","article-title":"Migratory directions of free-flying birds versus orientation in registration cages","volume":"202","author":"Nievergelt","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Exp. Biol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"633","DOI":"10.1007\/s10336-011-0781-3","article-title":"The effect of an external transmitter on the drag coefficient of a bird's body, and hence on migration range, and energy reserves after migration","volume":"153","author":"Pennycuick","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"189","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00168646","article-title":"Calibration of the sun compass by sunset polarized light patterns in a migratory bird","volume":"31","author":"Phillips","year":"1992","journal-title":"Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R39","unstructured":"R Development Core Team\n           (2011). A language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna: R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Available at: http:\/\/www.R-project.org."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1557-9263.2009.00249.x","article-title":"Radio transmitters do not affect the body condition of savannah sparrows during the fall premigratory period","volume":"80","author":"Rae","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Field Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R41","first-page":"335","article-title":"New harness design for attachment of radio transmitters to small passerines","volume":"62","author":"Rappole","year":"1991","journal-title":"J. Field Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"515","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-662-05957-9_35","article-title":"Stored fat and the migratory orientation of birds","volume-title":"Avian Migration","author":"Sandberg","year":"2003"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s002650050261","article-title":"Migratory orientation of red-eyed vireos, Vireo olivaceus, in relation to energetic condition and ecological context","volume":"39","author":"Sandberg","year":"1996","journal-title":"Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"453","DOI":"10.1006\/anbe.2000.1582","article-title":"Magnetic information calibrates celestial cues during migration","volume":"60","author":"Sandberg","year":"2000","journal-title":"Anim. Behav."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"131","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2656.2004.00905.x","article-title":"Optimal bird migration and predation risk: a field experiment with northern wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe","volume":"74","author":"Schmaljohann","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Anim. Ecol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1115","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2656.2011.01867.x","article-title":"Body condition and wind support initiate the shift of migratory direction and timing of nocturnal departure in a songbird","volume":"80","author":"Schmaljohann","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Anim. Ecol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"439","DOI":"10.1007\/s10336-010-0604-y","article-title":"Nocturnal exploratory flights, departure time, and direction in a migratory songbird","volume":"152","author":"Schmaljohann","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"336","DOI":"10.1007\/BF01952166","article-title":"The sun compass","volume":"46","author":"Schmidt-Koenig","year":"1990","journal-title":"Experientia"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R49","volume-title":"Identification Guide to European Passerines","author":"Svensson","year":"1992"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1439-0310.1957.tb00525.x","article-title":"Die Sternenorientierung n\u00e4chtlich ziehender Grasm\u00fccken (Sylvia atricapilla, borin und curruca)","volume":"14","author":"Wagner","year":"1957","journal-title":"Z. Tierpsychol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"62","DOI":"10.1126\/science.176.4030.62","article-title":"Magnetic compass of European robins","volume":"176","author":"Wiltschko","year":"1972","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.2307\/3543479","article-title":"Relative importance of stars and the magnetic field for the accuracy of orientation in night-migrating birds","volume":"30","author":"Wiltschko","year":"1978","journal-title":"Oikos"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"717","DOI":"10.1525\/auk.2009.11009","article-title":"Avian navigation","volume":"126","author":"Wiltschko","year":"2009","journal-title":"Auk"},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"607","DOI":"10.1007\/s10336-008-0324-8","article-title":"Contradictory results on the role of polarized light in compass calibration in migratory songbirds","volume":"149","author":"Wiltschko","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"663","DOI":"10.1007\/s10336-008-0336-4","article-title":"Response to the comments by R. Muheim, S. \u00c5kesson, and J. B. Phillips to our paper \u2018Contradictors results on the role of polarized light in compass calibration in migratory songbirds\u2019","volume":"149","author":"Wiltschko","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Ornithol."},{"key":"2021042507200544400_R56","volume-title":"Der Zug europ\u00e4ischer Singv\u00f6gel. Ein Atlas der Wiederfunde beringter V\u00f6gel","author":"Zink","year":"1973"}],"container-title":["Journal of Experimental Biology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/journals.biologists.com\/jeb\/article-pdf\/216\/8\/1381\/1873296\/1381.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"http:\/\/journals.biologists.com\/jeb\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1242\/jeb.080580\/2036714\/jeb_080580.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"am","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"http:\/\/journals.biologists.com\/jeb\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1242\/jeb.080580\/2036714\/jeb_080580.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2021,5,18]],"date-time":"2021-05-18T20:12:18Z","timestamp":1621368738000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.biologists.com\/jeb\/article\/doi\/10.1242\/jeb.080580\/257676\/Response-of-a-free-flying-songbird-to-an"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2012,1,1]]},"references-count":56,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1242\/jeb.080580","relation":{},"ISSN":["1477-9145","0022-0949"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1477-9145","type":"electronic"},{"value":"0022-0949","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2012,1,1]]},"article-number":"jeb.080580"}}