Scientists think that pigeons can feel the Earth’s magnetic field by picking up very small electrical signals in their inner ears. This kind of internal compass might be why some animals can navigate huge distances so well.
Researchers studied pigeon inner-ear cells using two advanced methods:
Mapping the brain in detail.
Analyzing the RNA (genetic instructions) of individual cells.
Both studies suggest that the inner ear is the organ pigeons use to sense magnetism (called magnetoreception). The findings were published in the journal Science on November 20th.
An expert, Eric Warrant, said this study gives the clearest proof yet of the brain signals responsible for sensing magnetic fields in any animal. While studies have suggested that animals like turtles, trout, and robins can also sense magnetic fields, the way they do it has been argued about and not fully understood until now.