| Abstract: | Head-bobbing is a common and characteristic behavior of walking birds. While the activity could have a relatively minor biomechanical function, for balance and stabilization of gait, head-bobbing is thought to be primarily a visual behavior in which fixation of gaze alternates with a forward movement that generates visual flow. We studied head-bobbing in locomoting whooping cranes (Grus americana) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis), using food strewn on the ground to motivate them to walk or run. When the cranes walked, head-bobbing proceeded in a four-step sequence that was closely linked to the stepping cycle. The time available for gaze stabilization decreased with travel speed, and running cranes did not head-bob at all. As a crane extended its bill towards the ground for food, it also exhibited a series of short head-bobs that were not associated with forward travel. Head-bobbing is a flexible behavior that varies with gait and with visual search, most notably as the cranes prepare to strike with the bill. ?? Dt. Ornithologen-Gesellschaft e.V. 2007. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70031398 |
| Citation Author: | Cronin, T. W.; Kinloch, M. R.; Olsen, G. H. |
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| Citation Issue: | SUPLL. 2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Ornithology |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Head-bobbing behavior in walking whooping cranes (Grus americana) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis); 2007; Article; Journal; Journal of Ornithology; Cronin, T. W.; Kinloch, M. R.; Olsen, G. H. |
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| Citation Volume: | 148 |
| Citation Year: | 2007 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Head-bobbing behavior in walking whooping cranes (Grus americana) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis); 2007; Article; Journal; Journal of Ornithology; Cronin, T. W.; Kinloch, M. R.; Olsen, G. H. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-007-0199-0 |
| Date Other: | Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00 -0600 |
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