Oct 30
Can Birds See Magnetic Fields?
German and New Zealand researchers have made an intriguing discovery about European robins. The birds, which rely on magnetic orientation to help them navigate during migration, use part of the visual center of their brains for said magnetic orienteering, essentially meaning that the songbirds can 'see' the Earth's magnetic field. The scientists deactivated the area in surgery, and then tested their orientation. After the procedure, the robins relied on the sun and stars to navigate.
The researches say that the findings can be useful in successfully relocating endangered bird populations or in student electromagnetic radiation.
Posted by Jay Roberts at 10:02 PM | Permalink
