Abstract
MIGRATORY birds and homing pigeons can apparently obtain directional information from the Earth's magnetic field. The effect is difficult to detect, and discussion of the possible process of magnetic field detection by birds seems so far to have foundered on the simple fact that the orientational effect of the Earth's magnetic field on a single electron spin associated with a molecule of animal tissue would be of the order 10−8 eV—almost certainly too small to be detectable biologically. Here I direct attention to a process which would overcome this basic problem, and which also seems to provide an explanation of all the main features of published data. It is a mechanism in principle only, however, and is discussed here in no more detail than is necessary to clarify the basic ideas and to provide a basis for further investigation.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Relevant articles
Open Access articles citing this article.
-
Radical-pair-based magnetoreception in birds: radio-frequency experiments and the role of cryptochrome
Journal of Comparative Physiology A Open Access 13 June 2017
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Get just this article for as long as you need it
$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Matthews, G. V. T. Orientation and Position Finding by Birds (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1973).
Matthews, G. V. T. J. R. stat. Soc. B 36, 349–364 (1974).
Wilse Robinson, G. Excited States 1, 1–34 (1974).
Ayscough, P. B. Electron Spin Resonance in Chemistry, ch. 11 (Methuen, London, 1967).
Abragam, A. & Bleaney, B. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of Transition Metal Ions, ch.1 (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1970).
El-Sayed, M. A. Excited States 1, 35–77 (1974).
Moore, T. A. & Kwiram, A. L. Biochemistry 13, 5403–5407 (1974).
Wiltschko, W. & Wiltschko, R. Science 176, 62–64 (1972).
Wiltschko, W. Animal Orientation and Navigation (eds Galler, S. R. et al.) 569–578 (NASA, Washington D.C., 1972).
Walcott, C. & Green, R. P. Science 184, 180–182 (1974).
Keeton, W. T. Animal Orientation and Navigation (eds Galler, S. R. et al.) 579–594 (NASA, Washington D.C., 1972).
Kreithen, M. L. & Keeton, W. T. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 91, 83–92 (1974).
Reille, A. J. Physiol., Paris 60, 85–92 (1968).
Kreithen, M. L. & Keeton, W. T. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 91, 355–362 (1974).
Yeagley, H. L. J. appl. Phys. 22, 746–760 (1951).
Wehner, R. & Labhart, T. Experimentia 26, 967–968 (1970).
Wiltschko, W. & Wiltschko, R. Z. Tierpsychol. 37, 337–355; 39, 265–282 (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LEASK, M. A physicochemical mechanism for magnetic field detection by migratory birds and homing pigeons. Nature 267, 144–145 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/267144a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/267144a0
This article is cited by
-
How do animals find their way back home? A brief overview of homing behavior with special reference to social Hymenoptera
Insectes Sociaux (2018)
-
Radical-pair-based magnetoreception in birds: radio-frequency experiments and the role of cryptochrome
Journal of Comparative Physiology A (2017)
-
Cryptochrome mediates light-dependent magnetosensitivity in Drosophila
Nature (2008)
-
Magnetite-based magnetoreception: the effect of repeated pulsing on the orientation of migratory birds
Journal of Comparative Physiology A (2007)
-
Light-dependent information: influence of loft conditions on young pigeon’s navigational system
Journal of Ornithology (2006)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
