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Published April 27, 1979 | public
Journal Article

The oilbird: hearing and echolocation

Abstract

Oilbirds can navigate in total darkness by echolocation. The sound energy in their sonar cries is unevenly distributed over the range from about 1 to 15 kilohertz, with a dominant frequency range of 1.5 to 2.5 kilohertz. This corresponds to the most sensitive range of their hearing as determined by neurophysiological methods. Behavioral tests in their home cave indicate that the smallest object avoided by this is a disk 20 centimeters in diameter.

Additional Information

© 1979 American Association for the Advancement of Science. 26 December 1978. We thank D. R. Griffin, W. Heiligenberg, G. A. Manley,I. Lambie, J. Price, J. Simmons, and N. Suga. Supported by a grant from the National Geographic Society.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023