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Do birds use waves for orientation when migrating across the sea?

Nature volume 259, pages 205–207 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

MIGRATING birds apparently can determine their intended flight direction with reference to the Sun, the stars or the magnetic field1–3. This mechanism, however, cannot be used to prevent wind drift. We suggest that for this purpose they orientate themselves with reference to the waves when flying over the sea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Ecology, Zoological Institute, University of Lund, S-223 62, Lund

    THOMAS ALERSTAM

  2. Department of Physics, Institute of Technology, Box 725, S-220 07, Lund, 7, Sweden

    SVEN-GÖRAN PETTERSSON

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  1. THOMAS ALERSTAM
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  2. SVEN-GÖRAN PETTERSSON
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ALERSTAM, T., PETTERSSON, SG. Do birds use waves for orientation when migrating across the sea?. Nature 259, 205–207 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259205a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/259205a0

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