[chris (OP)]

We were asked how homing pigeons find their way home during the radio show on Sunday. I don't actually know the answer, but I thought it would make for an interesting debate on here - anyone got any bright ideas ?

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[Donnah]

I vaguely remember hearing about this...I think it was the earth's magnetic field.

[tweener]

I don't think anyone really knows.  I've heard the theory about the earth's magnetic field, but no real proof.


----
John

[cuso4]

I saw the info in a book (One of the Horrible Science Series in fact. The book is called 'Evolve or Die'). It said that pigeons have magnetic particles in thier brain to act as compasses, so they always know which is the right way to home.

Angel

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein

[tweener]

Even if they know which way they are going, how do they know which way is the right way to go home?


----
John

[Quantumcat]

I read in a Karl Kruszelnicki book (I love those things) that they have a sort of magnet in their head, or something

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[cuso4]

Quantum, that's exactly what I said. Maybe you didn't see my post.

Angel

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein

[Quantumcat]

oh, sorry! I have a habit of seeing a question and answering it without checking to see what everyone else has said. I apologise.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[Exodus]

I can imagine there will be some very unhappy gigeons when the world takes its next polar reverse. I wonder if anyone has done any work on this? on whether the reversal of our poles that can happen every feww hundred thoudsand years can confuse birds...

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists

[Donnah]

When's the next reversal due, 2012?

[Quantumcat]

Geez, that soon?? O_O we'll all be alive then x_x

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[Sparky]

Well, I likewise don't know how they do it exactly but some folk are quite convinced how you can stop them getting home. See this press link:-


newbielink:http://www.iwcp.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx? [nonactive]
SectionID=1252&ArticleID=728511


- mobile phone and Tetra masts for those who haven't got time to look it up.

Cheers

Sparky

[Q and A]

Hey guys, check this out. This is new as of today. Very interesting!
newbielink:http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/02/06/homing.pigeons.reut/index.html [nonactive]

Q+A=Knowledge^2

[neilep]

Pigeons navigate by either using Sat Nav, buying an atlas or asking directions !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[Donnah]

Yes, but only the female pigeons will ask for directions.[]
(Somebody had to say it.)

[Ultima]

Some birds like geese use mental maps of landmarks to navigate I don’t know if pigeons use this along with the Earth’s magnetic field.

wOw the world spins?

[Rich]

But, how do they know where 'home' is in the first place?  I mean which location is 'home' to them?  And how do they get to the other place?  

[Rich]

But, how do they know where 'home' is in the first place?  I mean which location is 'home' to them?  And how do they get to the other place?  

[neilep]

Perhaps home is where birdies are hatched and raisd and pigeons are aware of this and so they imprint the location of where they are 'brought up'......like a cat knows where it lives etc etc......they learn where home is just like we do.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[Exodus]

quote:Originally posted by Donnah

Yes, but only the female pigeons will ask for directions.[]
(Somebody had to say it.)

Leave navigation to men!!! its always the safer option.[V]

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists