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Visual head extension: Transitional head coordination in the pigeon squab ( Columbia livia )
Author(s) -
Davies Mark N. O.,
Green Patrick R.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420220506
Subject(s) - extension (predicate logic) , head (geology) , context (archaeology) , vestibular system , head and neck , computer science , anatomy , psychology , communication , artificial intelligence , computer vision , biology , neuroscience , medicine , surgery , paleontology , programming language
Abstract We describe a previously unreported visuomotor behavior of the developing pigeon squab, which we term “visual head extension.” The behavior consists of extension and lowering of the head as the bird descends towards a surface or experiences the optical equivalent of such a descent. A peak in performance occurs 10 days after hatching. Evidence obtained shows that both vestibular and dynamic visual information can independently produce head extension. We go on to place the new behavioral response in the context of a dynamic, relational approach to perceptuomotor coordination, and outline the corresponding advantages of studying the single‐limb, head‐neck system in the pigeon.