- Development of lateralization of the magnetic compass in a
migratory bird (2012) - The magnetic compass of a migratory
bird, the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), was shown to be
lateralized in favour of the right eye/left brain hemisphere.
However, this seems to be a property of the avian magnetic
compass that is not present from the beginning, but develops
only as the birds grow older. During first migration in autumn,
juvenile robins can orient by their magnetic compass with their
right as well as with their left eye. In the following spring,
however, the magnetic compass is already lateralized, but this
lateralization is still flexible: it could be removed by
covering the right eye for 6 h. During the following autumn
migration, the lateralization becomes more strongly fixed, with
a 6 h occlusion of the right eye no longer having an effect.
This change from a bilateral to a lateralized magnetic compass
appears to be a maturation process, the first such case known so
far in birds. Because both eyes me