Scientists discover guidance system for migratory songbirds

news.exeter.ac.uk

26 points·bit_economist··9 comments

Am I crazy? This doesn't actually say anything about their guidance system? Just that its "genetic"?

> In a groundbreaking new study published in the journal Science, researchers have found that a combination of genetics and environment determines where migratory birds fly to for the winter.

If it is mainly genetic then a bird raised in captivity should be able to track the route somewhat accurately, that's groundbreaking

I guess the "guidance system" is not located in any organ or individual bird, but as a kind of accumulated collective knowledge. Perhaps the term was misleading, since it's a metaphor relating to a mechanism in individual airplane, rocket, etc. Anyway, fascinating to learn more about these lovely creatures.

We used to call this "instinct".

Yeah, the discovery seems more to me that some kind of genetic/biological guidance system must exist, because otherwise the observations would be hard to explain - but it doesn't tell how that guidance system works (though I'd really like to know now...)

> The research team used incredibly light data logger trackers measuring light intensity and time fitted as backpacks to the birds.

No GPS?

A gps logger would likely be too heavy. The birds themselves only weigh 12 grams.

You can derive latitude from the length of the day. You can derive longitude from the offset of dawn/dusk. It won't be nearly as accurate as gps of course, but accuracy to a degree or two is really all you need.

So the Earth's magnetic poles are not involved at all then?

They surely use magnetics ss their compass. This research uncovered the map they're using while traveling, so to speak.

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