Pigeons get their bearings from their beaks

[pigeonperson]

http://tinyurl.com/2fwnmq


Pigeons get their bearings from their beaks

By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
Last Updated: 1:28am GMT 15/03/2007

Homing pigeons get their bearings from their beaks, which are wired with nerves containing magnetic particles to act as a kind of compass.

Scientists have known for years that birds possess the ability to use the Earth's magnetic field for their navigation, although just how this is done has not yet been clear.

Now iron-containing nerve structures have been discovered in the beaks of homing pigeons that could form the basis of a three-dimensional magnetic sense.
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The new insight into bird navigation is published by Dr Gerta Fleissner and her colleagues at the University of Frankfurt in the journal Naturwissenschaften.

Working with a powerful source of X-rays in Hamburg, they found iron-containing particles in nerve branches within the skin lining the upper beak of pigeons.

The study extends earlier work done at North Carolina University and Auckland University that showed the upper beak contains particles of iron-rich magnetite. Because nerve cells sprout intricate branches - dendrites - to connect with their neighbours, dendritic connections are the basic receiving stations by which nerve cells form the signalling networks that constitute the brain's circuitry.

What is remarkable in this case is that the team found that the iron-laden nerve branches are arranged in a complex three-dimensional pattern consistent with the ability to analyse the three components of the Earth's magnetic field. They react to the Earth's external magnetic field in a very sensitive and specific manner, so they can deduce location, the team believes.

The researchers further believe that this ability is not unique to homing pigeons and could be universal among all birds and may also be present in other animals influenced by the Earth's magnetic field.

The minute iron oxide crystals have also interested nanotechnologists concerning their potential application for accurate drug targeting and data storage.

[Hamza]

Pigeons never fail to amuse/amaze me!

[Trees Gray]

Quite interesting, but I'm sure that is just in addition to their other genetic make-up which also helps them find their way.

Their natural born instincts and genetic makeup, was given them by their Creator, and makes them quite unique and special in my book.They are such survivors, because of God's will, therefore they truly are protected.

If everyone could just see that.

[John_D]

I recall that was discussed a few months back on a TV programme which was exploring how homers home.

Another theory put forward was that homers were able to create 'smell maps', by somehow recording the different scents emanating from the areas of terrain over which they crossed. They would use these to find the right area and then maybe use visual cues once in the approximate locality of home. Something along those lines, anyhow.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is so:

The researchers further believe that this ability is not unique to homing pigeons

After all. in their natural habitat, the truly wild 'Rock Doves' just don't need any great homing skills - they are real homebodies, and generally don't move off their patch, which would be only a very few square miles.

John

[george simon]

About 10 or so years ago there was a study that found iron oxide in the pigeons brain. There has been a product on the market for just about as long its called MAGNETITE.There have also been studies done over the years that have shown that its more then just one thing that the bird uses to find its way home.these studies were on the hearing,smell,eye site, all of which showed that the bird uses all these things to find home.The problem as I see it is that the scientists want to be the first to find the birds well kept secret when the truth is the bird needs all of his natural facilities to complete the task at hand. .GEORGE

[LondonPigeon]

yeah this was one of the theories put forward in the interesting programme: ""Paranormal Pigeons: Stranger Than Fiction"

http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/showth...hlight=channel