Earth's Magnetic Field Serves as a Stop Sign During the Migration of Songbirds

Studies have shown surprising migrating techniques the songbirds use while returning to their breeding site after flying around the world and this technique somehow involves the Earth's magnetic field.

(Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

How Do Birds Sense the Earth's Magnetic Field?

Earth's magnetic field has been found to be very useful during the migration of the songbird as it directs the bird on where and when to stop. 

This research was led by researchers from the University of Oxford and also scientists from the University of Oldenburg. This allows them to mark the same breeding site year to year.

How the birds manage to notice Earth's magnetic field is still unknown as there are still many theories on how they receive information from the magnetic field.

Dr. Joe Wynn who was formerly at University of Oxford but presently a researcher at the Institute for Avian Research, Germany said, although they know much about how birds get information concerning migration from their parents, how they fly back to the same location yearly with pinpoint accuracy is still difficult to find.

Wynn said it quite exciting that researchers have been successful in finding evidence that songbirds trying to find their homes could make use of magnetic signs, according to New Scientist.

Also Read: Hundreds of Songbirds Across US Are Dying Due to Mysterious Illness

Analyzing Data from Songbirds

Dr. Joe Wynn developed an interest in this study when he visited the research group of biologist Prof. Dr. Henrik Mouritsen at the University of Oldenburg as a guest scientist. 

The research started with reed warblers, tiny songbirds that fly across the Sahara desert to spend summer in Europe, about 18,000 reed warblers were monitored during this research.

During the investigation, they found out that once there is a change or movement of the earth's magnetic field, the migration sites of the bird also changes.

This shows that the magnetic field directs the bird on where to stop just like a sign that shows they are in their expected destination.

The ringing data method was used by researchers to monitor the movements of the birds, this involves metal rings that are attached to the leg of these birds.

(Photo : JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Why Birds Use Magnetic Information During Migration

In a Phys.org report, Dr. Wynn was quoted saying, "Magnetic information seems to be pretty stable, meaning the magnetic field doesn't change very much in a given location year-on-year. Aiming for a specific magnetic value during migration might make sense then."

Researchers think this gives the birds a greater chance of journeying back to the breeding site.

Dr. Whyne sees the technique as really extraordinary and makes it quite easy for scientist that are monitoring these movements to pinpoint a particular breeding site and collect datas that will be useful during further research on these birds.

Related Article: Some Male Songbirds Can't Lure Mates Because They Are Losing Their Song

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