Effects of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine on vigilance states and locomotor activity in ring doves

► Pilocarpine increases passive waking and theta rhythm in ring doves. ► Pilocarpine treatment reduced active waking and locomotor activity. ► Pilocarpine reduces slow wave sleep as well as REM sleep in ring doves. ► Similar cholinergic mechanisms regulate vigilance states in mammals and birds.