Prediction of Homing Pigeon Flight Paths using Gaussian ...rmann/presentations/pigeon.pdf ·...
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Prediction of Homing Pigeon Flight Paths using Gaussian Processes
Richard Mann
Dept. of Mathematics
Uppsala University
Pigeon navigation is interesting!
Pigeons ≈ most other birds (hopefully)
Experimental paradigm shift (GPS)
Data overload calls for new methods
Birds are key ecological indicators due to freedom of movement
High quality movement data
GPS devices accurate to < 5m at 1Hz
Repeated releases (~20) from the same site
Multiple test sites from varying directions
Previously unseen behaviour
Standard model: Map and Compass
Evidence for pilotage in familiar area:
1. Formation of habitual routes2. Loyalty to habitual routes under
compass intervention3. Recapitulation of habitual route
after displacement
Pigeons integrate compass and landmark guidance in familiar area navigation, Biro et al. PNAS (2006)
Familiar route loyalty implies visual pilotage inthe homing pigeon, Biro et al. PNAS (2004)
A model of pigeon flight paths Each flight represents
an imperfect attempt to replicate the underlying memorised route.
The ‘true’ habitual route is never observed
Flights by the same bird are correlated by sharing the same underlying route
Simulated paths
Route Learning <=> Predictability
Predict each path using immediate predecessors
Increasing predictability indicates route learning
MIG (release number = 3) = log2 ( p(x
3 | x
2, x
1) ) - log
2 ( p(x
3) )
e.g.
Identifying landmarks - Concept
Remembering the whole route is HARD
Luckily it is also UNNECESSARY
Choosing the right landmarks
The intended curve is better approximated using the right choice of memorised points
Big
pic
ture
of l
andm
arks
!
Pair-Release Experiments Previously trained birds
released as pairs Conflict between route
loyalty and flocking instinct
Compromise when conflict is small
Splitting or dominance hierarchy when conflict is large
Predicting the transition
Simple mixture model
Simulations reveal transition threshold
From Compromise to Leadership in Pigeon HomingBiro et al, Current Biol. 2006
Tack!
Chris ArmstrongDora BiroRob Freeman*Roman GarnettTim GuilfordJessica MeadeMichael OsborneStephen Roberts
Cris LuengoDaniel StrombomDavid Sumpter
*