Electrical phenomena in the telencephalon of the pigeon during pecking.

So-called motor potentials and changes in the neuronal activity of various regions of the striatum during pecking were studied in 50 unrestrained pigeons. The motor potentials which appeared during pecking were recorded from all regions of the striatum. Neurons of the striatum changed their level of activity during pecking (they became more active for the most part). The temporal characteristics of the motor potentials and the neuronal activity suggest a rostro-caudal activation of the striatum. The amplitude of the evoked potential of the tectum in response to a flash of a light changed during pecking movements.