Olfaction and the navigational performance of homing pigeons on the Atlantic coast of Morocco

Abstract Young homing pigeons were transferred from Italy to a loft located on the Atlantic Coast of Morocco. This location is extraordinary because from early spring to the end of summer winds continually blow from the north‐northeast. The pigeons were given free‐flight experience from the loft before they were tested for their navigational ability. For the test releases, the pigeons were divided into a control and anosmic group. The orientation and homing performance of the anosmic birds were generally poor and similar to what has been observed in other geographic regions following anosmia. The navigational performance of the control birds varied according to the direction of displacement. From the north and east the birds performed well and outperformed the anosmic birds. From the south they performed poorly and similar to the anosmic birds. Although preliminary, the data from the control birds suggest that natural variation in the distribution of winds, and presumably the odours they carry, can influe...