The Orientation of the E-Vector of Linearly Polarized Light Does not Affect the Behaviour of the Pigeon Columba Livia

Orientation with reference to the time-compensated sun-azimuth compass has been established for the homing pigeon Columba livia. Previous qualitative studies claim that pigeons are sensitive to the orientation of a polarizer and it has been suggested that these animals are able to use sky-light polarization as an indirect reference to the sun's position when the latter is shielded from view. We report experiments which were undertaken to quantify the sensitivity of the homing pigeon to the orientation of linearly polarized light. The results of our initial experiments suggested that the animals responded to secondary cues. Further experiments were carried out to avoid such artefacts. Under circumstances where secondary cues were rigorously avoided, we were, however, not able to demonstrate any directional response that was caused by the E-vector orientation of the illumination. These results throw doubt on the suggested polarization-sensitivity of birds in general.