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Homing pigeons reveal true magnetism

Nature (2004)Cite this article

Iron crystals in their beaks give birds a nose for north.

It's official: homing pigeons really can sense Earth's magnetic field. An investigation of their ability to detect different magnetic fields shows that their impressive navigation skills almost certainly relies on tiny magnetic particles in their beaks.

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References

  1. MoraC. V., DavisonC. V., WildJ. M. & WalkerM. M. Nature, 432. 508 - 511 (2004).

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Authors
  1. Michael Hopkin
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University of North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina

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Hopkin, M. Homing pigeons reveal true magnetism. Nature (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/news041122-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/news041122-7

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