Birds “See” Earth’s Magnetic Field

An article at National Geographic points to some new research out of Germany that shows that birds can see Earth’s Magnetic Field in their regular vision. This would help enable migratory birds to find their position, and eventually home, in relation to their surroundings.

Scientists already suspected birds’ eyes contain molecules that are thought to sense Earth’s magnetic field. In a new study, German researchers found that these molecules are linked to an area of the brain known to process visual information.

In that sense, “birds may see the magnetic field,” said study lead author Dominik Heyers, a biologist at the University of Oldenburg.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are subtle, but noticeable differences in the Earth’s magnetic fields that would be perceptible to the birds that would give them a series of “landmarks” that would allow them to know where they are. Subtle forms of pattern recognition seem to have helped almost every species along its path. I think we’re just beginning to see the full potential of the natural world.