How Do Birds Navigate?
Animal species, ranging from birds and mammals to reptiles and insects, navigate by using the Earth’s magnetic field. But Earth’s magnetic field is very weak. So how exactly birds do it. New research finds that a photochemical compass helps migrating birds to use the magnetic field along with light. The photoreceptors in a bird’s retina absorb light, which then produces a short-lived photochemical substance that is sensitive to the magnitude and direction of a weak magnetic field. It’s been supported by the fact that blue light photoreceptors have been detected in retinas of migratory birds when they perform magnetic orientation.
Photo Source: http://multimedia.bostonherald.com
Thousands of starlings turn Sky black.
In Gretna Green a small Scottish village, over millions of Starlings give dazzling aerial display every evening at dusk. Swooping and swirling across the dimly lit sky, they could almost be mistaken for an approaching storm cloud. Flying at a speed of over 20mph, it’s a wonder that they don’t collide in mid air. But a recent discovery revealed the secret behind their amazing spatial awareness. Each starling tracks seven other birds enabling the group’s impressive cohesion.
(Photo Source:www.dailymail.co.uk )
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