From studies carried out in the past it was generally thought that birds oriented themselves by looking for a kind of magnetic trace through light-sensitive molecules in their eyes or located in the beak or inner ear, but now German researchers may have found an organ unexpectedly as the liver. Specialized immune cells near the nerve fibers of pigeons' livers break down red blood cells by accumulating iron. Apparently if birds are temporarily deprived of these cells they can no longer orient themselves in flight; therefore the iron in the liver may help find direction like a magnetic compass in addition to using the Sun as a navigation guide transmitting signals to the brain. Researchers are looking for these functions in other animals although other hypotheses and parameters such as distance and specific destination also need to be considered.
e-mail: info@salutary.eu
Tel: +39 338 1809310
Date: 29/05/2026
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e-mail: info@salutary.eu
Tel: +39 338 1809310
Date: 29/05/2026
__________________________________________