Avian Navigation: How Birds Find Their Way

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This is Episode 128. How does a bird travel thousands of miles across the globe only to return to the exact same backyard or nest site year after year? This episode explores the fascinating science behind avian navigation. Learn the difference between simple orientation and "true navigation," uncovering how birds reach specific destinations they have never even visited before.

The discussion dives into the bird’s "map-and-compass" toolkit, highlighting a range of incredible adaptations. From internal biological clocks and genetic blueprints to the ability to "see" magnetic fields through quantum physics, the episode breaks down how birds interpret the world around them. Whether they are tracking the sun, the stars, or even atmospheric scents, birds take a multi-sensory approach to get from one place to another.

Finally, the episode examines the role of experience versus instinct, explaining how juvenile birds navigate their first solo journeys and how seasoned adults build complex mental maps of the planet.

Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website

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