Birds 'see' north magnetic

2007/11/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Biologia
• Zoologia

Researchers have long wanted to know how migratory birds know where the north is. According to studies by researchers at the University of Oldenburg, birds seem to be able to 'see' the magnetic fields of the Earth. It seems that some molecules in the eye of migratory birds are related to the area of the brain that directs the flight.

To demonstrate this, researchers conducted an experiment with Chinese forestry (Sylvia borin). One indicator has been injected into the brain area that guides the bird and another into the retina. The indicators, along with nerve signals, have travelled through neurons, noting that both indicators come together in the same place when the bird is willing to migrate. They concentrated on the part of the stem that handles vision.

According to researchers, this anatomical link means that birds perceive magnetic fields as visual sensations.