Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA new study has suggested homing pigeons navigate using specialised immune cells in their liver and spleen, rather than their eyes or beaks.These immune cells, known as macrophages, were found to accumulate iron while breaking down old red blood cells, granting them unique magnetic properties, according to a study published in Science.Researchers discovered that removing these macrophages impaired pigeons' ability to find their way home.The liver exhibited the highest concentration of iron and the strongest magnetic response among all tissues and organs analysed. Clivia Lisowski, an author of the study, said: “These findings provide the first concrete evidence of how the Earth's magnetic field can be perceived within the body and passed on to the brain to guide movement.” In fullPigeons literally rely on gut feeling for their homing ability, study findsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Study provides new evidence in homing pigeon navigation mystery
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA new study has suggested homing pigeons navigate using specialised immune cells in their liver and spleen, rather than their eyes or beaks.These immune cells, known as macrophages, were found to accumulate iron while breaking down old red blood cells, granting them unique magnetic properties, according to a study published in Science.Researchers discovered that removing these macrophages impaired pigeons' ability to find their way home.The liver exhibited the highest concentration of iron and the strongest magnetic response among all tissues and organs analysed. Clivia Lisowski, an author of the study, said: “These findings provide the first concrete evidence of how the Earth's magnetic field can be perceived within the body and passed on to the brain to guide movement.” In fullPigeons literally rely on gut feeling for their homing ability, study findsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
