How Two Pigeons Decide How To Return Home

[Guest CS]

Interesting pointer to cool new research.

 

<http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-11/cp-gdf110206.php>

 

"Social animals have to make decisions that affect not just

themselves, but everyone in the group. For example, when embarking on

a journey together, individuals must agree on the route--a difficult

task if group members cannot assess who are the best navigators or who

is best informed about possible routes. . . .

 

"When preferred routes of the two birds differed greatly, however, the

compromise position was replaced by a scenario in which the preferred

route of one bird--who would emerge as the 'leader'--was followed by

both birds for the rest of the journey."

 

Anyway, this sounds like some very fascinating research.