How camera-equipped homing pigeons could improve robotic vision in flight

Anthony B. Lapsansky, Douglas R. Wylie, Douglas L. Altshuler. 2026. Pigeons make slow, divergent eye movements during flight and large, convergent eye movements when landing, Current Biology

--------------------

UBC Science news, Alex Walls, July 6, 2026 - To study how pigeons see while flying, UBC researchers hand-sewed custom falconry-style hoods and miniature backpacks to carry tiny cameras and computers. The footage revealed unexpected eye movements that could help inspire smarter autonomous drones.