How lovebirds fly in crosswinds based on minimal visual information

Abstract

Flying birds navigate effectively through crosswinds, even when wind speeds are as high as flight speeds. What information birds use to sense crosswinds and compensate is largely unknown. We found that lovebirds can navigate 45-degree crosswinds similarly well in forest, lake, and cave-like visual environments. They navigate effectively using only a dim point light source as a beacon, despite being diurnal and raised in captivity. To maintain their heading, the lovebirds turn their bodies into the wind mid- flight, while orienting their heads towards the goal with neck angles up to 30 degrees. We show how this wind compensation can be achieved using a combination of passive aerodynamics and active control informed by muscle proprioception, a sensory input previously thought to be unimportant in detecting wind.