title: Test of magnetic sensitivity in seven species of European birds using a cardiac nociceptive conditioning procedure.
abstract: An attempt was made to show magnetic sensitivity in seven species of European birds captured during their migration. The test was done on the following species: Streptopelia turtur (N=8), Streptopelia decaocto (N=2), Corvus monedula (N=6); one individual of the following: Corvus corone c., Turdus philomelos, Turdus viscivorus, Anas penelope. Most of the individuals were first subjected to conditioning to a light stimulus. They were then subjected to differential nociceptive conditioning to 100 presentations of a magnetic stimulus (CS+) reversing the vertical Z component of the local magnetic field and 100 presentations of a control stimulus for artifacts (CS-). The two stimuli were randomly interdigited. Cardiac activity was used as an index of reactivity throughout the study. Results indicate that the magnetic stimuli were not used by the birds as a cue presaging the forthcoming shock. We discuss the validity of the stimuli and paradigms used to demonstrate magnetic sensitivity in birds. These negative findings are related to possible artifactual effects explaining suggestive results in homing and zugunruhe experiments, and to local processing of magnetic effects without access to higher processes such as learning and arousal regulations.
authors.affiliation: Départment de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Box 8888, Québec, H3C 3P8 Canada.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Beaugrand