Left-hemispheric superiority for visuospatial orientation in homing pigeons

To test for lateralisation of visuospatial orientation during homing, pigeo ns who had binocularly learned the homeward route from remote release sites were tested monocularly on either their left or their right eye for homing performance. In two experiments with three different release sites, birds using their right eye showed considerably better homing performance. If sun compass information was available, there was no difference in the directio n of vanishing. Without this information, a difference between pigeons usin g their left or right eye emerged. Results show that visuospatial orientati on in birds can be lateralised in favour of the left brain hemisphere and l end further support to the view that vision is important for pigeons homing on a familiar route. Cognitive mechanisms which might account for the obse rved pattern of lateralisation are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.