Scientists discover guidance system for migratory songbirds

Scientists discover guidance system for migratory songbirds(news.exeter.ac.uk)

26 points by bit_economist 73 days ago | 9 comments

hailwren 73 days ago |

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.

xg15 72 days ago | |

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...)

BetterThanSober 73 days ago | |

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

lioeters 73 days ago | | |

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.

xg15 72 days ago |

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

No GPS?

nwallin 72 days ago | |

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.

daneel_w 73 days ago |

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

magicalhippo 73 days ago | |

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