The Mystery of Animal Migration

Science for the Public: Contemporary Science Issues & Innovations
Belmont Media Center, September 17. 2024 (recording)

Charles Walcott, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University.

Charles Walcott has been a leader in the research on migratory creatures, especially birds. Here, he explains, for example, how pigeons use both the sun and the Earth’s magnetic field as a compass to navigate long distances. But how pigeons know the direction toward home is still uncertain. There is still much to be learned.

Dr Walcott has researched the migratory strategies of many species and he explains in this program what scientists presently know, and how scientists investigate the mental/sensory maps that migratory creatures use.

At Cornell, Charles Walcott was Director of the Ornithology Laboratory for 14 years, then Director of the Division of Biological Science, Associate and then Dean of the University Faculty, and later the University Marshal.

Charles Walcott has been featured in several PBS Nova productions. He served as Associate Producer of “Discovery” a program on natural history for children and the first nationally syndicated programs from WGBH in Boston. He was involved with NOVA and served two years as Content Director for 3-2-1 Contact produced by Children’s Television Workshop.
Dr. Walcott’s WGBH profile