Waterfall low-frequency vibrations and infrasound: implications for avian migration and hazard detection

Details

• Journal Title:
  Journal of Comparative Physiology A
• Personal Author:
  Bedard, Alfred J.
• NOAA Program & Office:
  OAR (Oceanic and Atmospheric Research) ; PSL (Physical Sciences Laboratory) ; CIRES (Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences)
• Description:
  Many researchers have suggested that birds may use natural infrasound sources for navigation and hazard avoidance. However, there is a need to define the sound levels and frequencies to characterize potential infrasound sources. This paper summarizes new measurements from Niagara Falls which define a stable, powerful infrasound source that could be detected by birds on a regional scale of over 400 km. Measurements made in the vicinity of Niagara Falls show that exceptional infrasonic pressure levels can occur in the regions of large waterfalls (> 100 Pa at a range of about 500 m). This paper reviews investigator assessments of avian use of infrasound. A review of the results of Cornell researchers on pigeon hearing provides a basis for estimating avian detection ranges of waterfalls. It is possible that migrating birds use sounds from waterfalls as beacons- a component of their “navigation toolbox” as well as infrasound for hazard avoidance.
• Source:
  Journal of Comparative Physiology A 207, pages685–700
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-021-01510-5
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Rights Information:
  Accepted Manuscript
• Compliance:
  Submitted
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:1e1e1189e75ed016c7ed7e68ab611b7c62c0b68c85ee23840c2cb5153f963ae1
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/44367/noaa_44367_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.94 MB ]