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Table 3 Head position of mallard ducks in the four phases of landing flight as estimated from photos available in the internet

From: Directional compass preference for landing in water birds

 

Approach I

Approach II

Gearing

Touchdown

Number of observations

12

14

38

27

Mean vector (μ)

118°

117°

115°

114°

Length of mean vector (r)

0.991

0.993

0.994

0.995

Circular standard deviation

Rayleigh test (p)

2.54 × 10-11

< 1012

7.9 × 10-7

1.67 × 10-6

  1. The mean vector μ refers to the smallest angle between the line connecting the eye and the tip of the beak and the horizon (90°).