How Do Birds Use Earth's Magnetic Field for Spatial Orientation?

💡 The Answer

• Migratory birds detect the geomagnetic field via magnetoreceptor proteins in their eyes or beak.
• This magnetic sense provides a compass that they integrate with celestial and landmark cues.
• The avian hippocampus stores spatial information for long‑distance navigation over thousands of miles.
• Disrupting the magnetic field experimentally causes birds to lose their directional heading.